As the U.S. men’s hockey team reveled in a long-awaited Olympic gold medal, defenseman Zach Werenski offered one of the most poignant reflections on a victory that was as much about those not on the ice as those who were.
After Team USA’s dramatic 2-1 overtime win over Canada to claim the country’s first Olympic hockey gold since 1980, Werenski’s thoughts immediately turned to his former teammate and friend Johnny Gaudreau, the late NHL star whose memory has loomed large over the tournament.
Olympic Triumph and a Tribute to a Fallen Teammate
Werenski, a member of the U.S. roster and longtime NHL player with the Columbus Blue Jackets, was part of a heartfelt tribute to Gaudreau after the gold-medal game. As players carried Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey around the ice and brought his young children onto the rink for the team photo, Werenski acknowledged how deep the moment was for everyone involved.
“This is something John would’ve been at,” Werenski said via The Associated Press. “To have his family here supporting us and seeing his kids … we talked about playing for him, making him proud and I think we did that. Super special to see them and to have kids on the ice.”
Gaudreau, 31, was killed along with his brother Matthew in August 2024 when they were struck by an SUV while bicycling near their New Jersey hometown on the eve of their sister’s wedding. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the hockey community, and Gaudreau was widely projected to be part of Team USA’s Olympic roster had he lived.
‘A Huge Part of USA Hockey’
Werenski’s reflections carried the weight of that loss.
In Sunday’s celebration, alongside teammates like Dylan Larkin, he ensured that Gaudreau’s legacy was woven into one of the sport’s most memorable nights. Carrying Gaudreau’s jersey and guiding his children out on the ice was more than symbolism, Werenski said — it was a testament to the impact the late star had on the team.
“He was a huge part of USA Hockey,” Werenski added, noting that having Gaudreau’s presence — even symbolically — throughout the tournament served as motivation.
“This is something we wanted to do for him and his family,” he said.
It wasn’t just an emotional gesture for players.
GettyGold medalists, Team United States and the kids of the late Johnny Gaudreau, pose for a team photo during the medal ceremony following the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Members of Gaudreau’s family — including his widow Meredith, parents Guy and Jane, and two of his three children — were in attendance at the Milano Cortina arena, celebrating alongside fans and teammates. Bringing Gaudreau’s children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice for the team photo was a joyful if bittersweet moment that reflected the intertwining of grief and triumph.
A Legacy Beyond the Ice
Gaudreau’s influence extended beyond this Olympics.
Earlier in the Games, teammates and USA Hockey officials had prominently displayed his No. 13 jersey in the locker room as a constant reminder of the player he was and the role he might have played in Milan. Players said that served as both an inspiration and a quiet motivation throughout the tournament.
Team USA’s victory, coming nearly half a century after the “Miracle on Ice,” was historic in its own right. But for Werenski and others who skated with, against or alongside Gaudreau during his NHL career, the gold medal bore an added layer of meaning.
“He’s with us here in spirit for the whole tournament,” captain Auston Matthews said. “To have his jersey out there in the team photo and have his kids come out and be with us, we’re obviously thinking of him.”
Golden Moment With Deep Roots
The win over Canada in overtime — punctuated by Jack Hughes’ sudden-death goal — was a spectacle of grit, skill and emotional resonance, but the tribute to Gaudreau stood out as a defining narrative of the night. From the locker room to the ice to the stands filled with family and supporters, the memory of “Johnny Hockey” was honored as though he had skated every shift with his teammates.
For Werenski, the gold medal was national glory and a personal tribute wrapped into one unforgettable moment — a testament to friendship, inspiration and the indelible mark left by a beloved teammate.
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