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The spirit of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau was palpable when Team USA secured the gold medal in men’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“The absence of Johnny and Matty remains the greatest loss we’ve faced in USA hockey, affecting their families and ours profoundly,” remarked Dylan Larkin after the gold medal triumph on Sunday, February 22. “Johnny always put family first,” he added.
In an exhilarating match, Team USA edged out Team Canada with a 2-1 victory in sudden-death overtime. This win marks the first time since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 that the American team has claimed Olympic hockey gold.
“I truly believe Johnny had a hand in protecting our net,” Larkin, 29, reflected, imagining Johnny and Matthew casting a protective spell that kept the puck out. He envisioned them laughing at the feat.
Carrying the memory of the late Johnny Gaudreau, Team USA’s men’s hockey team celebrated their gold medal achievement at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They triumphed over Team Canada in the final on February 22, paying a heartfelt tribute to Gaudreau as they reveled in their historic victory.
Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while biking in New Jersey in August 2024, just days before their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding. The brothers were 31 and 29, respectively.
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.
Meredith attended the gold medal game with her kids and in-laws.
“You should be here, John, and I’m so sorry you aren’t,” Johnny’s widow wrote via her Instagram Stories on Friday, February 20. “So proud of you and your legacy.”
Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk hold up a ‘Gaudreau 13’ jersey. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
As Team USA celebrated their victory, they held up an Olympics jersey with Johnny’s 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.)
Larkin, for his part, told reporters that “just felt right” to invite Johnny’s kids onto the ice.
The Olympic victory also coincided with Johnny Jr.’s birthday.
“2-22 is baby Johnny’s birthday!! Special date picked by his daddy due to travel at the time,” Meredith wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 21. “Happy 2nd birthday to our baby Johnny boy! We love you so much. I am so proud of you. Couldn’t think of a better way to spend your 2nd birthday than for a fun day tomorrow.”
Team USA had the full support of the Gaudreau family at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, and his parents were spotted in the crowd during the men’s hockey semifinal matchup against Slovakia on Friday, February 20. (Team USA ultimately won the game, advancing to the gold medal championship round against Canada […]
Johnny’s mom, Jane Gaudreau, subsequently responded in the comments section.
“Happy Birthday Baby Johnny! Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop love you so much and we can’t wait to spend the day with you,” Jane wrote. “Love you to the moon and back!”
Johnny was a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets and had ambitions to represent Team USA at the Olympics ahead of his death.
“He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster,” the Gaudreau family wrote in a social media statement earlier this month. “While it breaks our hearts that John won’t be there to live out that dream, we know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games. Though the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we find comfort knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved watching him play, John will be right there.”