Johnny Gaudreau: A Legacy Remembered by Team USA
In the aftermath of a hard-fought game, Auston Matthews opened up about the profound impact Johnny Gaudreau, affectionately known as "Johnny Hockey," has had on him and his fellow U.S. teammates.
“He has been on everybody’s mind,” the Maple Leafs captain shared emotionally. “We have his jersey in the locker-room every game.
So many guys on this team grew up with him, played with him, and were extremely close with him. He’s here with us in spirit.
It’s awesome.”
Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically lost their lives on August 29, 2024, in a biking accident involving an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey. The brothers were home for their sister’s wedding, planned for the day following their untimely passing.
As a tribute, Team USA has kept Johnny's presence alive in their Olympic locker room. His jersey hangs prominently, a constant reminder of his spirit and influence. This tribute isn't new; it started during the 2025 4-Nations Face-off and continued through the world championship, featuring a poster with both brothers' numbers and Johnny’s Team USA jersey.
Dylan Larkin, American forward and captain of the Detroit Red Wings, reflected on the loss, stating, “Johnny and Matty should be here and that is still the biggest loss that all of us at USA Hockey, their families, our family, has gone through. Somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn’t go in.”
Though Johnny never had the chance to compete in the Olympics, his contributions to the U.S. men’s national program were significant. A veteran of five world championships, he earned a bronze medal in 2018 and claimed gold with the world junior team in 2013. His family shared that one of Johnny’s greatest dreams was to represent the U.S. at the Olympics, and he was “training harder than ever” to make that dream a reality.
“He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster,” the family stated through USA Hockey. While it's heartbreaking that Johnny can’t fulfill that dream, his presence is felt deeply by Team USA and all who cherished watching him play.
The Olympics may be bittersweet for the Gaudreau family, but they find solace in knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and fans, Johnny remains ever-present.