Johnny Gaudreau's widow 'thankful' for way Team USA men's hockey honored late husband

The U.S. men’s hockey squad honored the precocious Johnny Gaudreau passim the Winter Olympics connected their mode to a golden medal triumph successful overtime against Canada.

Several squad members carried Gaudreau’s jersey astir the crystal successful Milan to grant the NHL prima who was killed successful New Jersey successful 2024 by an alleged drunk driver. They besides brought 2 of his children into the rink to instrumentality photos with the team.

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United States players observe with a squad photograph portion holding the jersey of Johnny Gaudreau aft defeating Canada successful the men's crystal hockey golden medal crippled during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games astatine Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena connected Feb. 22, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

Players besides chanted Gaudreau’s nickname "Johnny Hockey" astatine the Miami nightclub wherever they reveled connected Monday night. They are moments that nary subordinate connected the U.S. squad volition hide and it meant a batch to Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, who watched it unfold.

"It meant the satellite to me," she said successful an quality connected "Fox & Friends" connected Wednesday. "I truly americium truthful thankful to these guys for being truly large friends, truly large teammates. Just to see our kids and grant John the mode they do, it’s each I tin inquire for close now. I deliberation John would beryllium precise flattered, precise humbled. It’s conscionable really, truly heartwarming that they amusement him that overmuch respect and proceed to bash these things. It’s precise touching."

Johnny Gaudreau would person made the U.S. men’s team, according to caput manager Mike Sullivan.

United States' Matthew Tkachuk (19) carries Noa Gaudreau, pursuing a men's crystal hockey golden medal crippled betwixt Canada and the United States astatine the 2026 Winter Olympics, successful Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.  (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Meredith Gaudreau said helium would "thank them" for the mode the squad honored him.

"I deliberation he’s precise arrogant of them," she said. "Bringing his jersey each measurement of the way, making him a portion of this. He really, truly wanted to beryllium a portion of this. I deliberation helium would beryllium very, precise thankful and precise arrogant of these guys."

She added that the outpouring emotion and support, particularly from those who ne'er met her oregon her family, has been genuinely special.

Auston Matthews (34) of the United States, Zach Werenski (8) of the United States and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States clasp up the jersey of John Gaudreau aft defeating Canada successful the men's crystal hockey golden medal crippled during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games astatine Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena connected Feb. 22, 2026. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)

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"Thank you for each the support," she said. "All the messages. All the posts radical make. I truly work a batch of them, each of them almost. John’s interaction impresses maine much and much each day. This is simply a testament to that. There’s nary bigger signifier than this Olympics stage. Seeing worldwide that helium was recognized and we person worldwide enactment is however it feels close now. It decidedly helps connected our hard days."

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