The U.S. men’s ice hockey team is enjoying for greater than only a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Inside the team’s locker room at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a jersey with the quantity 13 hangs proudly, honoring the late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau.
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Gaudreau, 31, who performed for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, have been fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver whereas they have been bicycling in New Jersey in August 2024. They have been killed the night time earlier than their sister’s marriage ceremony. The sudden tragedy despatched shock waves via the hockey group, with tributes pouring in from teammates, coaches and followers throughout the NHL.
Gaudreau performed for Team USA in six totally different worldwide occasions, together with 5 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championships, tallying 43 factors in 40 video games, probably the most factors in USA men’s IIHF historical past. Gaudreau was thought of a powerful contender to make the U.S. Olympic team.
The Gaudreau household put out an announcement on social media forward of the men’s Olympic hockey event in Milan, which expressed their “heartache knowing how much this moment meant to John.”
The household described Gaudreau’s want to characterize Team USA. “In that final summer, John was training harder than ever, with his dad, pushing himself to be in the best shape of his life. He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster,” the Gaudreau household stated.
“While it breaks our hearts that John won’t be there to live out that dream, we know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games,” the household stated.
The household added a message of help for Gaudreau’s former teammates.
“Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride.”
Gaudreau’s teammates expressed an identical sentiment.
“We know he’s here with us, cheering us on and rooting for us,” alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk stated. “He’s got his own area in the locker room and it’s always nice to see that as a reminder,” he added.
Teammate Zach Werenski performed with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2022 -2024.
“I know how much Johnny wanted to be here for the Four Nations and the Olympics,” he stated.
Gaudreau and Werenski represented Team USA collectively within the 2024 men’s World Championship.
“It’s super special to see his jersey hanging, and we’re playing for him and trying to make him proud,” he added.
U.S. men’s hockey team head coach — and present head coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers — Mike Sullivan acknowledged what Johnny’s legacy means to the team.
“We did it in the Four Nations tournament a year ago, and we’re carrying that jersey with us here in Milan,” he stated.
“The fact that our team is celebrating him throughout this tournament just speaks volumes to the character and the person that Johnny was,” he stated. “I know how much he meant to a lot of the guys in that room.”
