Johnny Gaudreau’s Family Cheers for USA Men’s Hockey in the 2026 Olympics
Team USA had the full support of the Gaudreau family for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Johnny Gaudreauwidow, Meredith Gaudreauand his parents were spotted in the crowd during the men’s hockey semifinal against Slovakia on Friday, February 20. (Team USA ended up winning the game, advancing to the gold medal round against Canada on Sunday, February 22.)
“You should be here, John, and I’m so sorry you’re not here,” Meredith wrote on her Instagram Stories later Friday. “I’m proud of you and your legacy.”
Meredith also shared a sweet photo of daughter Noa, 3, decked out in Team USA gear and holding an American flag before a game in Milan, Italy. (In addition to Noah, Meredith and Johnny share sons Johnny Jr., 2, and Carter, 10 months.)
Johnny, a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a favorite for the 2026 Olympic hockey team, died in an accident in August 2024 at the age of 31. Johnny and his brother, Matthew GaudreauThey were hit and killed by a driver who was suspected of being drunk while riding bicycles in front of their sister Katie Gaudreaumarriage in New Jersey.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the Ohio hockey team said in a statement at the time. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but most importantly a loving father, son, brother and friend.”
The statement concluded, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Meredith, his children Noah and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden deaths of Johnny and Matthew.”
Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau’s daughter Noah.
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/ InstagramMeredith, who started dating Johnny in 2018, broke her silence that month.
“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I’m still the luckiest girl in the world to be yours. I love you so much,” she wrote on Instagram in August 2024. “You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love everything about you. You’re mine forever and I can’t wait to be with you again, and I love you so much.”
In the next article, Meredith called Johnny “the best dad in the world.”
“[He was] caring and loving. The best parenting partner you could have,” she wrote in a post posted on social media. “John never missed a beat [doctors’] appointment. He was the best at putting the baby to sleep and Noah’s Eye Peninsula. I love the way he looks. We will make you proud. We love you so much, Dad.”
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram Although Johnny Gaudreau loved the game of hockey, his family always came first. Off the ice, the NHL player enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Noah and Johnny. However, tragedy struck the Gaudreau family, when Johnny and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed. […]
Meredith announced at Johnny’s funeral with her brother-in-law Matthew in September 2024 that she was pregnant with child number 3. She gave birth to son Carter in April 2025.
“Our third child has arrived!” Meredith posted on Instagram, announcing Carter’s arrival. “I love you so much my baby! We are going to be so happy. I can’t wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever. John, thank you for giving me our beautiful family. We love you, Daddy and miss you so much.”
John is also survived by his parents and two sisters. Matthew, who died at the age of 29, was married to his wife Madeline Gaudreauwho gave birth to a son Tripp after the death of his brothers.
