One person didn’t get to be a part of Team USA’s gold medal celebration that should have, but Johnny Gaudreau’s teammates ensured he wasn’t forgotten. The late, great hockey legend was given a victory lap in which players held his jersey aloft in one of the most emotional moments of the games.
Johnny Gaudreau given emotional tribute by Team USA after Olympic gold win
A truly unbelievable moment.
Gaudreau, lovingly known as “Johnny Hockey,” was a staple of U.S. hockey since 2013 when he joined the junior team and the international hockey incubator, culminating with a campaign in the 2024 IIHF World Championship tournament where he scored three goals and registered eight assists in the United States’ campaign.
Johnny Hockey should have been next to his teammates on the ice celebrating this win, but never got the chance. In the summer of 2024 Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were hit and killed by a drunk driver while cycling. It stunned the hockey world, turning the family upside down, and causing pain that’s still felt today. In a small way we got to remember Johnny on the ice at the Olympic games, and it was beautiful.
What a moment.
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