Team USA invited Johnny Gaudreau’s family to the Milan-Cortina Games for additional support at the Olympics, and told his dad that the late NHL star would have been on the roster
10:14 ET, 22 Feb 2026Updated 11:05 ET, 22 Feb 2026
Team USA has honored Johnny Gaudreau throughout the Olympics(Image: 2026 EyesWideOpen)
Johnny Gaudreau’s family was invited to attend the Winter Olympics by Team USA, with the roster honoring the late hockey star throughout the Milan-Cortina Games.
Gaudreau was on track to represent Team USA at the Olympics, and doing so was a dream for the New Jersey native. However, he was cruelly denied the opportunity after he was killed alongside his brother, Matthew, during a fatal accident in August 2024.
Team USA has carried Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey to Milan, and, as during the 4 Nations Face Off, it proudly hangs in the locker room. Team USA reached out to Gaudreau’s family ahead of the Olympics, and after some initial hesitation, they boarded a flight to Milan.
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When Gaudreau was killed after being hit by an SUV in New Jersey during the NHL offseason, the hockey community went into mourning. Many still haven’t come to terms with his death, as he was a fan favorite in both the NHL and internationally.
Team USA invited Gaudreau’s parents, Jane and Guy, his widow, Meredith, and their two oldest children to attend the Milan-Cortina Games and provide extra support for the team. Gaudreau’s parents initially planned a trip to Las Vegas, but Johnny’s sisters intervened.
“Our two daughters, for 24 hours, they just kept at us, ‘You have to go. The boys would want you to do this. This would mean so much to John,'” Jane Gaudreau said.
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“It just means so much to our family, and we’re so excited to remember what our boys meant to hockey.”
The Gaudreau family was in attendance when Team USA beat Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals.
Guy Gaudreau also said that Team USA informed him that his son was on the projected Olympic roster. “He wanted to be on this team,” he said during the third period of Team USA’s semifinal win. “And it would’ve been nice if he’d been here.”
The Gaudreau brothers grew up watching Olympic hockey and dreamed of representing the stars and stripes. After a 12-year hiatus, NHL players were finally granted permission to play in the Olympics this year.
Johnny Gaudreau was also honored by Team USA at the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Gaudreau did play at multiple World Championships alongside several current Team USA stars. “It means everything — we all know he should be here with us,” said Team USA star Dylan Larkin.
“He should be with us. We love him, and I like that we continue to think about him, and I wouldn’t imagine it any other way.”
Zach Werenski, who grew close with Gaudreau at the Columbus Blue Jackets, added: “It’s great having them here, and it’s super special. We’re happy that we made it to the gold medal game, so they can watch that and be a part of it. It’s on us to make them proud.”
Gaudreau’s jersey has its own designated area in the Team USA locker room, and head coach Mike Sullivan has been using it as extra motivation for the roster. Team USA last won Olympic gold in men’s hockey in 1980, but after winning gold against Team Canada, the roster paraded Gaudreau’s roster around the ice to a standing ovation from fans.
