There were emotional scenes on the final day of the Games
The Winter Olympics ended in emotional scenes on Sunday as the United States men’s ice hockey team honoured their late teammate after winning their first gold medal in 46 years.
A thrilling final saw the US beat their neighbours Canada 2-1, with Jack Hughes winning the game in overtime after his side withstood relentless pressure from their opponents throughout the contest. The victory meant they topped the Olympic podium for the first time since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ at Lake Placid in 1980, and came after the women’s side also beat Canada 2-1 in their final to win gold.
But the historic win was also tinged with sadness as the team paid tribute to their former teammate Johnny Gaudreau, who would have likely been on the podium with them if not for his tragic death in August 2024.
The NHL winger and his brother Matthew were killed when they were hit by an alleged drunk driver while cycling together in New Jersey on the eve of their sister’s wedding. He was just 31 years old, while Matthew – also an ice hockey player – was only 29.
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Gaudreau would have been expected to be part of Team USA at the Milano-Cortina Games, with his family admitting representing his country at the Olympics was “one of his greatest dreams”.
Having been cruelly denied that opportunity, the team made sure to honour his memory throughout their Olympic campaign, with two jerseys bearing the brothers’ names hanging in the United States changing room since their first match in the competition.
Members of the Gaudreau family watched on as the United States sealed the gold medal on Sunday and there were more emotional scenes in the aftermath, as Johnny’s jersey was unfurled and carried around the ice by members of the team.
Gaudreau’s father was left in tears by the touching moment, while those watching inside the stadium and at home were also choked up as the late star’s young children – Noa and Johnny Jr – were escorted out onto the ice to join the team and hold their father’s jersey for the Team USA group photo.
Ahead of the Games, the Gaudreau family wrote on X: “As the Olympics are set to begin, our family is filled with both pride and heartache knowing how much this moment meant to John. Representing Team USA at the Olympics was one of his greatest dreams.
“In that final 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 earn his spot on that Olympic roster. While it breaks our hearts that John won’t be there to live out that dream, we know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games.
“Our family will be cheering for every player wearing the red, white, and blue, and celebrating so many friends representing teams around the world. As we work to ensure that John and Matty’s lives and legacies continue to be honored, moments like these remind us of the dreams they held and the impact they made on everyone who knew them.
“John loved this game and loved representing his country,” they added. “Though the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we find comfort knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved watching him play, John will be right there. Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride. With love and gratitude, The Gaudreau Family.”
Coach Mike Sullivan described Gaudreau as “an inspiration” as he added: “He provides a lot of inspiration for all of us with how he lived his life, his dedication to the game, his family.
“He’s just a good person on the ice and off the ice, and I think he’s an inspiration to our players to this very day.”