(OSV News) ─ When the U.S. men's hockey team dramatically captured its first Olympic gold medal in 46 years at the 2026 Winter Games Feb. 22 in Milan, Italy, the triumph was defined not only by athletic achievement but by remembrance and faith.
After the dramatic 2-1 overtime thriller over Canada, U.S. captain Auston Matthews and teammates skated around the ice holding the late Johnny Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey, ensuring that a beloved player -- gone too soon -- was at the forefront of their celebration.
Johnny Gaudreau, widely known as "Johnny Hockey," and his brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29, 2024, when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while cycling near Salem County, New Jersey, on the eve of their sister's wedding. Johnny was 31.
Before the Olympics began, the Gaudreau family issued a heartfelt message that underscored Gaudreau's lifelong dream to represent his country.
"Representing Team USA at the Olympics was one of his greatest dreams," the family wrote, noting that in his final summer Johnny was training harder than ever to earn a spot on the Olympic roster. "We know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games … John loved this game and loved representing his country."
Both Gaudreau brothers were hockey standouts. Both played for Boston College. Matthew competed professionally and later became involved in coaching at his high school alma mater, but he never played in the NHL. Johnny, however, played 11 seasons in the NHL -- nine with the Calgary Flames and, desiring to be closer to home, his final two with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Gaudreau's Catholic faith was a central part of his life from his youth through his professional career. He and his brother both attended Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where their father, Guy, helped build the school's ice hockey program. The brothers were not only sporting stars; they were devoted sons, brothers, fathers and active members of their Catholic community. Gloucester Catholic, founded on faith and service, became the spiritual home for the family, offering prayer services and communal support in the wake of their deaths.
In the weeks after the accident, Gloucester Catholic High School held a Night of Remembrance attended by hundreds, emphasizing prayer and the role of faith in coping with tragedy. The funeral Mass for Johnny and Matthew, held at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Media, Pennsylvania, highlighted the "incredible love" they had for each other and their parents. The Gaudreau family has also supported Catholic education through annual fundraisers for Gloucester Catholic to help families with tuition.
Throughout the 2026 Winter Games Olympics in Milan Cortina, Team USA kept Gaudreau's memory at the forefront. His No. 13 jersey was displayed in the locker room, a constant symbol of his presence among teammates. That practice continued into the gold medal game, where teammates Matthews, Zach Werenski, and Matthew Tkachuk carried the jersey onto the ice after the final buzzer.
After the victory, the team ensured that Gaudreau's family was included in the celebration. Players brought two of Johnny's three children ─ Johnny Jr., 2, and Noa, 3 ─ onto the ice for the official team photo, holding their father's jersey beside them. From the stands, his widow, Meredith, and his parents, Guy and Jane, witnessed a tribute that blended athletic triumph with deep personal loss.
"I honestly felt (Johnny's presence) the whole tournament," Werenski, Gaudreau's teammate with the Blue Jackets, told The Athletic. "Felt he was here. I felt that feeling a lot in Columbus, and I felt it at the world stage, World Championships last year, now here at the Olympics. I feel like that he's following us, and he's got our back.
"This is something John would have been at," he continued. "And to see his family here supporting us and seeing his kids, bringing them on the ice, we talked about playing for him, making him proud and I think we did that."
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John Knebels writes for OSV News from suburban Philadelphia.
