Golden Gesture: Team USA Hockey Star Pays Tribute to Gaudreau Brothers

The Team USA men's hockey team honored the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau during their gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Dylan Larkin expressed the team's feelings, acknowledging the loss felt by all of them and their families.

Team USA secured a 2-1 victory over Team Canada in a sudden-death overtime match, marking their first gold medal triumph since the legendary 1980 "Miracle on Ice."

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau tragically passed away in August 2024 due to a drunk driving incident. They are survived by their parents, sisters, wives, and children. Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's widow, attended the gold medal game with their kids and in-laws.

During the celebration, Team USA displayed a jersey with Johnny's name and invited his children to join them on the ice. The victory coincided with Johnny Jr.'s birthday, adding a special significance to the event.

Support from the Gaudreau Family

The Gaudreau family, including Johnny's widow Meredith and parents, showed their support for Team USA during the Winter Olympics. They were present during the men's hockey semifinal against Slovakia, where Team USA emerged victorious.

Johnny Gaudreau, a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets, had aspirations of representing Team USA at the Olympics before his untimely death. Despite his absence, his spirit and memory were honored by his family and teammates.