Tears and Gold: U.S. Hockey Players Celebrate Historic Win by Welcoming Johnny Gaudreau’s Children for Epic Tribute

The U.S. men’s hockey team brought Johnny Gaudreau’s son Johnny Jr. and daughter Noa on the ice as they celebrated their gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Gaudreau was on track to make the Olympics squad before his death in Aug. 2024
His wife, Meredith, and parents Jane and Guy were in the stands, and watched as players carried Gaudreau’s jersey on the ice

Johnny Gaudreau was on Team USA’s minds as they celebrated their Olympic gold.

The players made a point to bring the late NHL star into the festivities after they beat rival Canada to win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, Feb. 22. As the team posed for photos on the ice with their medals, forward Dylan Larkin and defenseman Zach Werenski brought over Gaudreau’s daughter Noa, 3, and son Johnny Jr., 2.

Larkin smiled alongside Johnny Jr. — who turned 2 on Sunday — while holding up Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey, and Werenski held a grinning Noa.

Gaudreau’s wife Meredith brought the kids to the game, alongside his parents Jane and Guy Gaudreau. Guy was seen crying after Jack Hughes won the game in overtime for Team USA.

Johnny, who died at age 31 along with his brother Matthew, 29, when they were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver the night before their sister’s wedding in Aug. 2024, was expected to make the U.S. Olympic team, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Players of Team United States pose for photographs 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Zach Werenski holds Johnny Gaudreau’s daughter Noa.Gregory Shamus/Getty

Winning and getting the chance to honor Johnny “was emotional,” Werenski, who was Johnny’s former teammate on the Columbus Blue Jackets, told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the game.

“It was good emotions. It was happy emotions. It was something John would’ve been at, and to have his jersey out there for all the fans, for all the people to see… His family was in the crowd. We brought his kids on the ice for the picture, I mean, it was just incredible. We wanted to make him proud, and I think we did that.”

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