Share and Follow
In a heartfelt tribute at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA’s men’s hockey team clinched the gold medal with the memory of the late Johnny Gaudreau close to their hearts.
On Sunday, February 22, Team USA emerged victorious over Team Canada with a score of 2-1 in the gold medal match. This triumph marked the first time the American men’s hockey team secured gold since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. As the players celebrated their win on the ice, they paid a touching homage to Gaudreau by holding up a Team USA jersey bearing his name. The poignant moment was shared with viewers worldwide as cameras captured the reactions of Johnny’s parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau, who were visibly moved in the stands.
Johnny Gaudreau, an aspiring Olympian, tragically lost his life in a biking accident in August 2024 at the age of 31, along with his brother Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith Gaudreau, and their three children. Matthew, who was 29 at the time of the accident, is survived by his wife and son.
The Gaudreau family provided unwavering support to Team USA throughout the Winter Games. Meredith Gaudreau and Johnny’s parents were present in the audience during the semifinal match against Slovakia on Friday, February 20. Their presence undoubtedly inspired Team USA, who went on to defeat Slovakia and secure their spot in the gold medal showdown against Canada.
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 […]
Jane and Guy also attended the men’s hockey semifinal matchup during the Milan Cortina Olympics, alongside Meredith and her kids.
“You should be here, John, and I’m so sorry you aren’t,” Meredith wrote via her Instagram Stories on Saturday, February 21. “So proud of you and your legacy.”
Meredith and kids Noa, 3, and Johnny Jr., 2, also attended the Sunday gold medal game, where they were brought onto the ice to celebrate with the team and their dad’s jersey. The game was coincidentally held on little Johnny’s second birthday. (Meredith gave birth to the couple’s third baby, son Carter, in 2025.)
“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.”
Johnny’s mom, Jane, offered her own tribute 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!”
The Gaudreau family has frequently been candid about their grief.
“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much,” Meredith wrote via Instagram in August 2024, breaking her silence after her husband died. “You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much, forever and ever.”
In a follow-up tribute, Meredith noted that Johnny was “the absolute best dad in the world.”
“[He was] so caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with,” she wrote at the time. “John never missed a single [doctors’] appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much, Daddy.”