Members of the Team USA men’s ice hockey team will honor their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau in a special way during this year’s Winter Olympics.
The team, which won its first three games in Milan, will hang Gaudreau’s jersey in the locker room as a tribute to the late NHL star who was killed along with his brother Matthew by an alleged drunk driver in a 2024 crash. turned the hockey world upside down.
The brothers were cycling the next day ahead of their sister’s wedding when they were hit and killed by the driver, who charged with aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide.
On Sunday, NBC’s reporting of Team USA’s preliminary round game against Germany included a segment with Gaudreau’s name tag on display next to his jersey in the locker room.
Prior to his death, Gaudreau played in 40 games for Team USA and holds the record for most points ever scored by an American men’s player at the World Championships.
Zach Werenski – who played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets – told NBC that his late friend and teammate would have made the Winter Olympics team.
He considers Gaudreau one of the greatest American-born hockey players and said the team wants to make the late NHL star and his brother proud at this year’s Games.
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan said the team’s tribute to Gaudreau — a seven-time NHL all-star and winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the best “sportsmanship and friendly conduct” in the league — “speaks volumes” of their character.
Gaudreau’s family, in a statement released ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, said representing the stars and stripes at the Winter Olympics was one of the late hockey star’s “biggest dreams” and he aimed to be in the “best shape of his life” in the summer before the fatal crash.
“While the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we take comfort in knowing that John will be there in the hearts of his teammates, friends and all who loved watching him play,” the statement said.
“Go to Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride.”
