The US men’s hockey team honors Johnny Gaudreau at the Olympics in Milan Cortina
The US men’s ice hockey team is playing for more than just a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Inside the team’s locker room at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, jersey number 13 hangs proudly, honoring the late American hockey player and NHL star Johnny Gaudreau.
Gaudreau, 31, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were struck and killed by an alleged drunken driver while cycling in New Jersey in August 2024. They were killed the night before their sister’s wedding. The sudden tragedy sent shockwaves through the hockey community, with congratulations from teammates, coaches and fans across the NHL.
Gaudreau played for Team USA in six different international events, including the International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championships, tallying 43 points in 40 games, the most points in USA men’s IIHF history. Gaudreau is considered a strong contender to make the US Olympic team.
The Gaudreau family released a statement on social media ahead of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament in Milan, expressing “heartbreak knowing what this moment means to John.”
The family explained Gaudreau’s desire to represent Team USA. “That last summer, John was training harder than ever, with his dad, pushing himself to be in the best shape of his life. He was determined to find his place on that Olympic list,” the Gaudreau family said.
“Although it breaks our hearts that John will not be there to fulfill that dream, we know that he will be there with Team USA and all his close friends who will compete in all these games,” said the family.
The family added a message of support for Gaudreau’s former teammates.
“Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride.”
Gaudreau’s teammates echoed similar sentiments.
“We know he’s here with us, he’s happy for us and he loves us,” said co-captain Matthew Tkachuk. “He has his place in the dressing room and it’s always nice to see that as a reminder,” he added.
Teammate Zach Werenski played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2022 -2024.
“I know how much Johnny wanted to be here for the Four Nations and the Olympics,” he said.
Gaudreau and Werenski represent Team USA together at the 2024 men’s World Championship.
“It’s very important to see his jersey hanging up, and we’re playing for him and trying to make him proud,” he added.
The head coach of the US men’s hockey team – and current head coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers – Mike Sullivan acknowledged what Johnny’s legacy means to the team.
“We did it in the Four Nations tournament last year, and we are taking that jersey with us here in Milan,” he said.
“The fact that our team is celebrating him throughout the tournament speaks volumes for the character and person Johnny was,” he said. “I know how much he meant to a lot of the guys in that room.”
