{"id":224441,"date":"2026-02-22T21:11:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T21:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/how-team-usa-hockey-felt-johnny-gaudreaus-presence-in-gold-medal-game\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T21:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T21:11:51","slug":"how-team-usa-hockey-felt-johnny-gaudreaus-presence-in-gold-medal-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/how-team-usa-hockey-felt-johnny-gaudreaus-presence-in-gold-medal-game\/","title":{"rendered":"How Team USA Hockey Felt Johnny Gaudreau’s Presence in Gold Medal Game"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Team USA men\u2019s hockey team felt Johnny<\/strong> and Matthew Gaudreau<\/strong>\u2019s spirits when they took home the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny and Matty should be here and that is still the biggest loss that all of us at USA hockey, their families [and] our family, has gone through,\u201d Dylan Larkin<\/strong> told reporters<\/a> after the Sunday, February 22, gold medal game. \u201cJohnny [is] family first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team USA beat Team Canada 2-1<\/a> in a sudden-death overtime win on Sunday, the American squad\u2019s first gold medal victory since 1980\u2019s famed \u201cMiracle on Ice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think part of the puck not going in our net was somehow, that he\u2019s standing there doing something,\u201d Larkin, 29, said, adding that he pictures Johnny and Matthew laughing as they \u201cjust somehow they put a spell around [the Team USA] net where that puck didn\u2019t go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Johnny Gaudreau Honored by USA Men’s Hockey After Olympic Gold Medal Win<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tTeam USA men\u2019s hockey kept the late Johnny Gaudreau in their hearts when they officially became gold medal champions at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Team USA beat Team Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game on Sunday, February 22, where they sweetly honored Gaudreau upon their victory. (The American victory marks the first time that [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau<\/strong>, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver<\/a> while biking in New Jersey\u00a0 in August 2024, just days before their sister Katie Gaudreau<\/strong>\u2019s wedding. The brothers were 31 and 29, respectively.<\/p>\n

The siblings are survived by their parents, two sisters and respective wives and children. Matthew was married to Madeline Gaudreau, with whom he shared son Tripp. Johnny, for his part, is survived by his wife, Meredith Gaudreau, and their three children.<\/p>\n

Meredith attended the gold medal game with her kids and in-laws.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should be here, John, and I\u2019m so sorry you aren\u2019t,\u201d Johnny\u2019s widow wrote via her Instagram Stories<\/a> on Friday, February 20. \u201cSo proud of you and your legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk hold up a \u2018Gaudreau 13\u2019 jersey.<\/span> Gregory Shamus\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Team USA celebrated their victory, they held up an Olympics jersey with Johnny\u2019s last name and invited his kids Noa, 3, and Johnny Jr., 2, onto the ice to celebrate with the team. (Johnny and Meredith also shared son Carter, who was born in April 2025.)<\/p>\n

Larkin, for his part, told reporters that \u201cjust felt right\u201d to invite Johnny\u2019s kids onto the ice.<\/p>\n

The Olympic victory also coincided with Johnny Jr.\u2019s birthday.<\/p>\n

\u201c2-22 is baby Johnny\u2019s birthday!! Special date picked by his daddy due to travel at the time,\u201d Meredith wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 21. \u201cHappy 2nd birthday to our baby Johnny boy! We love you so much. I am so proud of you. Couldn\u2019t think of a better way to spend your 2nd birthday than for a fun day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Meredith-Gaudreau-IG__438895248_432085722843635_5281885670283910605_n.\"<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Johnny Gaudreau’s Family Cheers on Team USA Men’s Hockey at 2026 Olympics<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tTeam USA had the full support of the Gaudreau family at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Johnny Gaudreau\u2019s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, and his parents were spotted in the crowd during the men\u2019s hockey semifinal matchup against Slovakia on Friday, February 20. (Team USA ultimately won the game, advancing to the gold medal championship round against Canada [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Johnny\u2019s mom, Jane Gaudreau<\/strong>, subsequently responded in the comments section.<\/p>\n

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