Team USA Celebrates Olympic Hockey Win With Johnny Gaudreau’s Kids

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Johnny Gaudreau’s light is still shining bright at the 2026 Olympics.

Team USA won the gold medal in men’s hockey at the Milano Cortina Winter Games on February 22nd, defeating Team Canada 2-1. Following the victory, several players paid tribute to the late NHL star, who tragically died in a biking accident with his brother Matthew Gaudreau in August 2024, with a heartfelt gesture towards his family.

After the U.S. team won in overtime, forward Dylan Larkin and defenseman Zach Werenski brought Johnny’s children, 3-year-old Noa and 2-year-old Johnny Jr., onto the ice. The kids, who Johnny shares with his wife Meredith Gaudreau, joined the team’s celebration and posed for pictures with the medal-winning athletes.

The players honored Johnny, who had been working towards playing for Team USA before he died, by skating around the rink while waving his jersey number 13. The tribute was especially moving for his parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau, with Guy visibly emotional and wiping away tears as he watched with his wife and daughter-in-law.

Dylan was happy to honor Johnny and his family, as he was deeply affected by the loss of both Johnny and Matthew.

After the game, he told reporters that he expected Johnny and Matty to join the team, and that their absence remained the most difficult experience for everyone involved with USA Hockey and both of their families, as reported by People magazine.

However, the 29-year-old discovered a comforting thought: he believes the late Columbus Blue Jackets player might have somehow contributed to Team USA’s winning performance.

He joked that the opposing team’s success in keeping the puck out of their net was almost magical, suggesting that players Johnny and Matthew had somehow created a protective barrier around it.

To see more unforgettable moments from the 2026 Olympic Games, keep reading…

Figure skater Amber Glenn became emotional and cried after failing to land her triple loop jump during her performance in the women’s short program.

Tom Wilson of Canada scuffles with Pierre Crinon of France in a rare Olympic hockey fight.

Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen was overcome with emotion after making history by winning Brazil’s first-ever gold medal at the Winter Olympics in the men’s giant slalom.

Stevenson Savart, the first Haitian cross-country skier to compete in the Olympics, finished the men’s 10km race and received a standing ovation.

Spanish figure skater Tomas Guarino performs a short program dressed as a Minion, inspired by the movie Despicable Me.

A dog wanders onto the track during the women’s team cross country free sprint qualifiers.

Curler Marc Kennedy observed his teammate, Brad Jacobs, putting on lip balm during a men’s round robin game.

Ilia Malinin, the American figure skater nicknamed “Quad God,” surprisingly fell during his free skate performance, which resulted in an eighth-place finish.

German bobsledder Laura Nolte prepares before a training session for the monobob, a one-person bobsleigh race for women.

As a lifestyle observer, I loved seeing the sportsmanship after the women’s snowboard halfpipe event! Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi snapped a photo with the incredible Chloe Kim from Team USA and Japan’s Mitsuki Ono – and it was all captured on the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition. Such a cool moment to witness!

Nika Egadze, a figure skater from Georgia, took a photo with Simone Biles, the most decorated Olympic gymnast, while at the men’s singles figure skating competition.

A cameraman captured a heartwarming moment: skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin embracing after completing their second run in the women’s team combined slalom competition.

Biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot of France celebrated her silver medal win in the women’s 15km individual biathlon event by playfully posing with the official mascots, Milo and Tina, from the Milan-Cortina Olympics. She received the plush toys as part of her prize.

After completing the super-G race, skier Dmytro Shepiuk wrote a message of support to his Ukrainian compatriots on a sticky note.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto is surprised by her score in the women’s singles free skating team event.

Speedskater Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands cried tears of joy after discovering she’d broken the Olympic record in the women’s 1,000-meter race.

China’s Eileen Gu competes in the women’s freestyle slopestyle—which earned her a silver medal.

As a lifestyle observer, I was deeply moved watching Maxim Naumov after his short program. It was clear how much his late parents meant to him – he was holding a photo of them close, a beautiful and poignant tribute to their memory. It really highlighted the personal stories behind these incredible athletes.

A composite image shows off the many tricks seen in the women’s freestyle slopestyle. 

Figure skater Ekaterina Kurakova of Poland celebrated her performance with teammates, holding up a stuffed pierogi—a popular and well-loved food in Poland.

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The figure skating team who won the medal took a selfie with a special Olympic Edition Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 while celebrating on the podium.

Lindsey Vonn, a U.S. skier, showed her determination while training just days after seriously injuring her knee in a crash where she ruptured her ACL.

As a skating enthusiast, I was captivated watching Alysa Liu, representing the United States, execute a beautiful Biellmann spin during her short program in the women’s single skating event. It’s a move that really showcases both strength and flexibility!

Jennifer Dodds of Team Great Britain looked very anxious while watching the curling mixed doubles round robin match against South Korea.

Snoop Dogg,serving as an Olympics correspondent for NBC, tries his hand at curling at a practice.

Evan Bates and Madison Chock, both U.S. figure skaters and a couple in real life, seem perfectly in sync when they perform their rhythm ice dance.

Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to play hockey for the U.S. in the Olympics, competes against Sara Cajanova of the Czech Republic during their game.

During the men’s snowboard big air qualifying round, Australian athlete Valentino Guseli embraced Czech competitor Jakub Hrones.

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2026-02-23 02:47