{"id":471429,"date":"2026-02-16T05:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T05:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/471429\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T05:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T05:49:08","slug":"team-usa-mens-hockey-team-hangs-johnny-gaudreaus-jersey-in-locker-room-at-winter-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/471429\/","title":{"rendered":"Team USA Men’s Hockey Team Hangs Johnny Gaudreau’s Jersey In Locker Room At Winter Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Members of the Team USA<\/a> men\u2019s ice hockey team are honoring their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau<\/a> in a special way at this year\u2019s Winter Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The squad, which won its first three games in Milan, is hanging Gaudreau\u2019s jersey in the locker room in a tribute to the late NHL star who, along with his brother, Matthew, were killed by an alleged drunk driver in a 2024 crash<\/a> that rocked the hockey world<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The brothers were riding their bikes ahead of their sister\u2019s wedding the next day when they were struck and killed by the driver, who has been charged<\/a> with aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, NBC\u2019s coverage<\/a> of Team USA\u2019s preliminary round game against Germany featured a segment showing Gaudreau\u2019s nameplate on display in the locker room alongside his jersey.<\/p>\n

Prior to his death, Gaudreau played in 40 games for Team USA and has the record for most points ever scored<\/a> by a U.S. men\u2019s player at the World Championships.<\/p>\n

Zach Werenski \u2014 who played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets \u2014 told NBC<\/a> that his late friend and teammate would have made the Winter Olympics team.<\/p>\n

He considers Gaudreau to be one of the greatest American-born hockey players, and said the team wants to make the late NHL star and his brother proud at the Games this year.<\/p>\n

Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan said the team\u2019s tribute to Gaudreau \u2014 a seven-time NHL all-star and winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the best \u201csportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct\u201d in the league \u2014 \u201cspeaks volumes\u201d to their character.<\/p>\n

Gaudreau\u2019s family, in a statement<\/a> issued before the Milan Cortina Games, said representing the stars and stripes at the Winter Olympics was one of the late hockey star\u2019s \u201cgreatest dreams,\u201d and he was pushing to be in the \u201cbest shape of his life\u201d in the summer leading up to the deadly crash.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we find comfort knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved watching him play, John will be right there,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride.\u201d<\/p>\n