The late Johnny Gaudreau was certain to have been on the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team roster for the 2026 Games in Milan Cortina, but the great star tragically died in 2024.
But he and his brother Matthew, who also died in 2024, were not forgotten by the gold medal-winning team. His prospective teammates placed a No. 13 Gaudreau jersey in their locker room for every game, and when U.S. players skated with American flags on their backs, they wore his jersey.
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What’s more: Gaudreau’s family was in the stands, celebrating through tears:
A perfect tribute.This article originally appeared on For The Win: Team USA’s Johnny Gaudreau tribute at gold medal game was perfect