Team USA hockey gives Johnny Gaudreau 2026 Winter Olympics honor

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14 February 2026 at 01:06

Team USA is off to a hot start at the 2026 Winter Olympics after the men’s hockey team dominated Latvia in its opening match, and now the team is honoring former NHL star Johnny Gaudreau at the tournament.

Gaudreau and his young brother tragically lost their lives in 2024 after being struck by a car in New Jersey. However, their legacies have lived on as NHL and other hockey teams have rallied around the Gaudreau family.

Now that the Winter Olympics are back in Milan-Cortina, Team USA hockey has made a generous effort to make sure that Johnny Gaudreau is never forgotten by the national team.

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For the Olympics, Team USA has placed Gaudreau’s number 13 jersey in the locker room alongside the rest of the American players. Prior to his passing, Johnny Gaudreau represented Team USA during his 11 NHL seasons.

That includes scoring nine goals and adding four assists throughout his national team career. The former Calgary Flames winger was beloved by hockey fans, and following his death his family was given many honors across the North American hockey landscape.

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Johnny Gaudreau’s family during ceremonial puck drop by Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Team USA will look to continue its early 2026 Winter Olympics success during the rest of the preliminary stage with matches against Denmark and Germany before aiming to take home a gold medal.