Johnny Gaudreau’s Widow Reacts to Hockey Team Honoring Him at Olympics

by

Johnny Gaudreau will always be remembered on the ice.

Team USA honored the memory of the late NHL player at the 2026 Olympics following their championship win. The player, who tragically died in a biking accident with his brother Matthew Gaudreau in August 2024, was remembered by players Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski, who displayed his jersey. They then brought his children, Noa, 3, and Johnny Jr., 2, onto the ice to join in the celebration.

“They really didn’t need to do that,” said Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, in an interview with ABC News Live on February 24th. “Immediately after winning the game, it felt like their first impulse was to take John’s jersey and skate around with it. They also wanted to bring our children onto the ice for a picture.”

She added that she was incredibly grateful. She felt immense pride and appreciated that her children were included, and that her husband was being honored in such a thoughtful way. She described it as a very classy gesture, noting the organizers consistently showed kindness and included her kids in everything, knowing that’s what her husband, John, would have wanted.

Everyone thought Johnny would definitely make the hockey team. He’d always dreamed of playing for the US in international competitions.

As for how Johnny’s kids ended up on the ice?

Meredith, who shares her 11-month-old son, Carter, with Johnny, said that Matthew Tkachuk called her while she was watching the game from the stands.

She explained that they wanted to get some photos of the children on the ice. She told Noa that all of her father’s friends were eager to pose with both of them, Noa and Johnny.

She remembered saying, ‘Those kids have my husband’s jersey and want a photo. They’re excited because of him, and you get to share in that because you loved him too. That’s why we’re here to remember him.’ She added that her daughter is beginning to understand everything and feels very proud.

She was incredibly proud of the team’s 2-1 win against Canada. Beyond that, she felt particularly proud of John, explaining that all their efforts, both past and present, stem from their respect and affection for him.

While the Gaudreau family grieves the loss of Johnny and Matthew, Meredith has spoken about her experience with loss during the Winter Games.

It’s still really hard every day, she admitted. But when her friends make an effort to include her husband, John, and their kids, it means the world to her. She described them as wonderful people, true friends, and positive role models.

To learn more about inspiring athletes, memorable victories, and behind-the-scenes highlights from the 2026 Winter Olympics, continue reading.

Figure skater Amber Glenn became emotional and cried after struggling with 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 to a standing ovation.

Spanish figure skater Tomas Guarino performs his 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 U.S. figure skater nicknamed “Quad God,” surprisingly fell during his performance in the men’s single free skate, which resulted in an eighth-place finish.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always inspired by peak performance, and right now, I’m watching Laura Nolte prepare for monobob training. It’s amazing to see her focus as she gets ready for this incredible single-woman bobsleigh event – the dedication is truly inspiring!

After the women’s snowboard halfpipe event, Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi took a photo with American Chloe Kim and Japan’s Mitsuki Ono, captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition phone.

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

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

Biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot of France playfully posed with the official mascots, Milo and Tina, from the Milan-Cortina Olympics. She received the plush toys after winning a silver medal in the women’s 15km individual biathlon event.

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.

Skater Maxim Naumov held a picture of his parents, who have passed away, after his performance in the men’s short program competition.

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 iconic Polish food.

No, it’s Team Austria’s ski jumper Julia Muehlbacher.

Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp of Austria zoom by during the luge women’s doubles.

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

Lindsey Vonn, a U.S. skier, appeared focused and determined while training just days after suffering a torn ACL in a crash.

American skater Alysa Liu performs a Biellmann spin during her short program at the women’s single skating event.

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.

Oh my gosh, Evan Bates and Madison Chock are just perfect together when they skate! Seriously, watching their rhythm dance is like witnessing magic – they’re so in sync and it’s clear they’re a perfect match, both as skaters and as a couple. It’s breathtaking!

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 the game between the United States and the Czech Republic.

During the men’s snowboard big air qualifying round, Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli embraced Team Czechia’s Jakub Hrones.

Read More

2026-02-26 17:47