The 2026 Winter Olympics produced a deeply emotional moment as the U.S. men’s hockey team paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau by bringing his two young children onto the ice moments after winning gold on February 22.
The United States men’s national ice hockey team defeated the Canada men’s national ice hockey team in overtime to secure its first Olympic gold medal in 46 years. As players gathered at center ice for photos, forward Dylan Larkin and defenseman Zach Werenski carried Gaudreau’s daughter, Noa, 3, and son, Johnny Jr., who turned 2 that day, onto the ice.
Larkin posed with Johnny Jr. while holding Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey, while Werenski held Noa as teammates surrounded them for a heartfelt team photo. Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, attended the game with the children, along with his parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau. Guy was seen in tears in the stands after Jack Hughes scored the overtime winner.
Gaudreau died at age 31 alongside his brother Matthew, 29, in August 2024 after they were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver the night before their sister’s wedding. At the time, he had been expected to compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster. Werenski, who previously played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets, described the tribute as especially meaningful.
“Winning and getting the chance to honor Johnny ‘was emotional,’” Werenski told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the game.
He added, “It was good emotions. It was happy emotions. It was something John would’ve been at, and to have his jersey out there for all the fans, for all the people to see… His family was in the crowd. We brought his kids on the ice for the picture, I mean, it was just incredible. We wanted to make him proud, and I think we did that.”
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Defenseman Jake Sanderson, who played with Gaudreau at the World Championships, also addressed the tribute. “To get his kids on the ice for that team picture, it’s pretty emotional to get his jersey. This win is for him and his family.” Team USA’s victory marked its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.
FBI Director Kash Patel Celebrates With Team USA Hockey Following Gold Medal Win
Following the on-ice ceremony, FBI Director Kash Patel joined players inside the locker room as celebrations continued.
Video published by TMZ on February 22 showed Patel celebrating with members of the team, at one point appearing to drink from a beer and spray the remainder toward players nearby. One player placed a gold medal around Patel’s neck during the celebration.
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The outlet reported that Patel attended the Games in Italy and participated in the postgame festivities after the United States secured the overtime victory over Canada.
