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USA's World Junior team honouring Johnny Gaudreau in an amazing way

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Jan 2 2025, 7:13 pm
USA's World Junior team honouring Johnny Gaudreau in an amazing way

Team USA has been making sure to honour the life of Johnny Gaudreau at this year’s IIHF World Junior Championship.

Gaudreau, who tragically passed away in late August, represented Team USA on many occasions throughout his playing career. He suited up numerous times for the US at the World Championship and also helped lead them to gold at the 2013 World Juniors.

Gaudreau played a huge role in that gold medal, scoring a tournament-leading seven goals in just seven games. Given his massive accomplishments, the US is honouring him at this year’s World Junior tournament.

Following a 4-1 win over the Canadians on New Year’s Eve, a video of American coach David Carle addressing his team was posted on social media. In it, you can see a Gaudreau jersey hanging up in an empty stall.

The team is also honouring Matt Gaudreau, who passed away in the same tragic accident as his brother. While Matt never played in the NHL, he spent a number of seasons split between the AHL and ECHL, during which time he wore No. 21. As the video following USA head coach David Carle shows, there is a banner on the wall that features Matt’s No. 21 along with Johnny’s No. 13.

This is just the latest of many tributes the Gaudreaus have gotten since their passing. The Columbus Blue Jackets honoured the brothers in their home opener this season, and did so once again when the Calgary Flames visited Columbus in late November. The Flames then honoured the Gaudreaus in a very emotional outing at the Saddledome in early December.

Roughly two months after the World Juniors has concluded, we will see the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which will include Canada, the USA, Sweden, and Finland. There will likely be something similar honouring the Gaudreaus at an event Johnny likely would have been playing in.

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