USA Hockey Making Sure To Pay The Ultimate Tribute To Johnny Gaudreau After Winning Gold Was One Of The Most Beautiful Moments In Sports History
picture alliance. Getty Images.What we just witnessed was one of the greatest moments in American sports history. For the first time in close to half a decade, the United States men's hockey team won gold at the Olympics. Names that will be etched into US Hockey history for the rest of eternity. Guys like Jack and Quinn Hughes, each delivering two of the biggest goals to ever be scored in an American jersey. Guys like Connor Hellebuyck putting up the most incredible performance between the pipes we've seen out of an American goalie since Jim Craig. The Tkachuck brothers, Dylan Larkin, Zach Werenski, Matt Boldy. All of these guys are now American heroes.
But there's one name that might be more important than them all. The one name that truly stands out as the heart and soul of American hockey. The one name that may not have been on the ice with these boys in Milan, but has been there in spirit the whole time.
Martin Rose. Getty Images.John Gaudreau. This team never accomplishes the greatest feat without Johnny Hockey. He would have been there with the team in Italy if his, and his brother's, life were not tragically taken from us far too early on August 29, 2024. Team USA made sure to let Guy and Jane Gaudreau know that Johnny was on the projected roster for this 2026 team. And even though he wasn't able to be with us in person, the spirit of Johnny Gaudreau has been with Team USA ever since his passing.
He was there in 2025 when USA won their first ever world championship last summer.
Michael Campanella. Getty Images.His jersey was in the locker room for World Juniors Championships. His jersey was in the locker room for World Championships. And his jersey was in the locker room for the entirety of these Olympics. Every time USA Hockey touches the ice, they represent their country and they represent the spirit of Johnny Gaudreau.
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Team USA just won the biggest game they've played in 46 years. And the immediate reaction from all of these guys after the goal was to make sure that Johnny's jersey got out on the ice as soon as possible.
And if you weren't bawling your eyes out the moment that Johnny's jersey was out on the ice, then you didn't stand a chance the moment that Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski went up into the stands to grab Johnny's daughter, Noa, and his son, Johnny, for the team photo.
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Gregory Shamus. Getty Images.
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It just means so much more than a hockey game. You'll never be able to see these photos without crying.
I'm just so incredibly proud of all of these guys. Not just for accomplishing the ultimate goal of winning a gold medal, but for making sure to carry on John's legacy throughout the entire tournament. That's what brotherhood is all about. I knew this was going to be an incredibly emotional morning regardless of the outcome of this game. But I didn't quite expect all of this. It's just so beautiful.