Team USA won for more than just their country on Sunday.
Following their win over Canada in the gold-medal game at the Milano Cortina Olympics, the Americans carried the late Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey onto the ice to honour the former Team USA mainstay.
Captain Auston Matthews, alternate Matthew Tkachuk and defenceman Zach Werenski — who played alongside Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets — held up Gaudreau’s sweater while taking a lap after the win.
Fans in the arena were heard chanting “Johnny Hockey” as the post-game celebrations occurred.
Past just taking his jersey out onto the ice after the win, the Americans have had Gaudreau’s sweater — along with brother Matthew Gaudreau’s sweater — hanging in the locker room throughout the tournament, and his family was in the stands to take in the action in Milan.
“He’s been on everybody’s mind,” Matthews told CBC Olympics. “We’ve got his jersey in the locker room. So many guys on this team that grew up with him and played with him and were extremely close with him. He’s here with us in spirit. It’s awesome.”
It was an extra special day for the Gaudreaus in attendance, as Johnny Gaudreau’s son, Johnny Jr., was celebrating his second birthday.
While the Americans were taking their team photo on the ice, the players brought Gaudreau’s children to be a part of the team photo with his jersey in front of them.
Along with his son and wife, Meredith, Johnny Gaudreau’s parents, Jane and Guy, were also watching the game from the Santagiulia Arena in Milan.
Gaudreau, a native of New Jersey, was a longtime member of Team USA, having suited up for the side at five IIHF ice hockey world championships and won world juniors gold with the team in 2013.
Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed in August of 2024 after being struck by a car while biking in Salem County, N.J.
“Johnny and Matty should be here,” American forward Dylan Larkin said after the game. “… Somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn’t go in. Ironic, because it’s on the defensive side. He would never have been back there. We miss him, and we love him, and we love his family.”