US pays tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew at the Winter Olympics

The U.S. men's hockey team is paying tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where they'll compete for gold against Canada on February 21, 2026, honoring the memory of the brothers who dreamed of Olympic play before their tragic deaths in a cycling accident on August 29, 2024. Johnny Gaudreau, an elite NHL player and the all-time U.S. leading scorer in international play, was on track to be part of the Olympic team according to USA Hockey, who had informed the family that Johnny was on the projected roster. The tribute includes a blue No. 13 Gaudreau jersey in the team's locker room at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, serving as a reminder of the player affectionately known as 'Johnny Hockey.' The Gaudreau brothers were passionate about hockey and the Olympics from a young age, with their mother Jane recalling that 'it was their dream' to play in the Olympic Games. Johnny's NHL career spanned a decade, during which he played for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, while also representing the U.S. in multiple world championships. Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Johnny would have been on the team if he were still alive, describing him as 'one of America's very best' and 'a good person on the ice and off the ice.' The tribute extends beyond Johnny to include his brother Matthew, with both of their jersey numbers (13 and 21) displayed in the locker room, continuing a tradition that began at the 4 Nations Face-Off when their father Guy participated as a guest coach. Team members have expressed their deep connection to Johnny and the significance of the tribute. 'It means everything — we all know he should be here with us,' said Dylan Larkin, who played with Gaudreau at multiple world championships. Charlie McAvoy echoed these sentiments, describing Johnny as 'an amazing person, just an infectious personality' and appreciating the 'little reminders of him in the room.' The emotional weight of the tribute is not lost on the players, who see it as both honoring their fallen teammate and motivating them to 'make [the family] proud' in their gold medal quest. The Gaudreau family's presence in Milan adds another layer of significance, with Jane and Guy Gaudreau, along with Johnny's widow Meredith and their two oldest children, attending after being encouraged by their daughters to honor their sons' dreams.