How Team USA Hockey Is Questioning Johnny Gaudreau’s Presence in the Gold Medal Game
Team USA’s men’s hockey team felt it Johnny again Matthew Gaudreauhis spirit when he took home the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Johnny and Matty should be here and that’s still the biggest loss for all of us in USA hockey, their families [and] our family is finished,” Dylan Larkin he told reporters after the Sunday, February 22, gold medal match. “Johnny [is] family first.”
Team USA beat Team Canada 2-1 in a surprise overtime win on Sunday, the first gold medal win by an American team since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
“I think part of the puck not going into our net in a way, is that he’s standing when he’s doing something,” said Larkin, 29, adding that he filmed Johnny and Matthew laughing as they were “somehow casting a spell.” [the Team USA] net where that puck didn’t go in.”
Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreauwere hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver while cycling in New Jersey in August 2024, just days before her sister. Katie Gaudreauthe marriage of. The brothers were 31 and 29 years old respectively.
These brothers left behind their parents, two sisters and their wives and children. Matthew was married to Madeline Gaudreau, with whom he shared Tripp’s son. Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith Gaudreau, and their three children.
Meredith attended the gold medal game with her children and in-laws.
“You should be here, John, and I’m so sorry you’re not,” Johnny’s widow wrote on her Instagram Stories on Friday, February 20. “I’m proud of you and your legacy.”
Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk wear the ‘Gaudreau 13’ jersey.
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesAs Team USA celebrated its victory, she held up an Olympic jersey with Johnny’s last name on it and invited her children Noah, 3, and Johnny Jr., 2, onto the ice to celebrate with the team. (Johnny and Meredith also share a son Carter, born in April 2025.)
Larkin, for his part, told reporters that he “felt right” to invite Johnny’s children to the ice.
The Olympic victory also coincided with Johnny Jr.’s birthday.
“The 2-22nd is Johnny’s birthday!! A special day chosen by his dad because he’s traveling at the time,” Meredith wrote on Instagram on Saturday, February 21. “Happy 2nd birthday to our baby Johnny boy! We love you so much. I’m so proud of you. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend your 2nd birthday than a fun day tomorrow.”
Team USA had the full support of the Gaudreau family for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, and his parents were seen in the crowd during the men’s hockey semifinal game against Slovakia on Friday, February 20. (Team USA ended up winning the game, advancing to the gold medal round against Canada. […]
Johnny’s mother, Jane Gaudreauthen responded in the comments section.
“Happy Birthday Baby Johnny! Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop love you so much and we can’t wait to spend the day with you,” Jane wrote. “I love you to the moon and back!”
Johnny was a player for the Columbus Blue Jackets and had aspirations of representing Team USA in the Olympics before his death.
“He was determined to find his place on this Olympic list,” the Gaudreau family wrote in a social media statement earlier this month. “Although it breaks our hearts that John will not be there to fulfill that dream, we know that he will be very much there with the American Team and all his close friends who will compete in all these games. Although the Olympics will be fun for our family, we take comfort in knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved to see him play, John will be there.”
