Team USA pays tribute to Johnny Gaudreau after winning back-to-back gold medals at World Juniors Championship

Team USA would hold the sweater of late Johnny Gaudreau after winning the World Junior Championship in overtime against Team Finland.

Team USA pays tribute to Johnny Gaudreau after winning back-to-back gold medals at World Juniors Championship

Team USA and Johnny Gaudreau (Image via X/The Columbus Dispatch)

In a thrilling game on Sunday, Team USA came out as the winners of the World Juniors Championship. They defeated Team Finland 4-3 in overtime. This saw them win back-to-back gold medals in this tournament. Following the win, the team paid tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.

Johnny Gaudreau tragically lost his life in August 2024 while he was riding on a cycle with his brother. The Gaudreau brothers were hit by an alleged drunk driver at around 8 p.m., a day before the wedding of their sister Katie.

Gaudreau played for Team USA at the World Juniors Championship in 2013. During that event, he scored seven goals. His performances that year, helped his nation win the gold in this tournament.

In the current edition, the team kept his No.13 sweater in their locker room. After the victory against Finland, the team would pose with his jersey in the dressing room. In the post shared by USA Hockey on X, they would write, “13 and 21 with us every step of the way” in the caption, while paying their tribute to Johnny and his brother.

Before the finals, USA Captain Ryan Leonard reflected on his best memories of the former Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets star. The 20-year-old mentioned how he admired the calmness of Gaudreau and how he played in every game while having fun.

Just the way he approached every single game. He was just so calm with every single game. It was just like he was going out there and having fun. We emphasize that a lot out here. Just going out there and having fun and being free. That’s really what John did out there

Ryan Leonard said as per USA Hockey

Meredith Gaudreau reacts to Team USA paying homage to her late-husband following victory at World Juniors Championship

Emotions were running high for Team USA when they won the gold medal through a memorable comeback in overtime. The team would later pay homage to Johnny Gaudreau. His wife, Meredith, would later react to this and penned down an emotional message on social media.

Johnny Gaudreau and Meredith Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau and Meredith Gaudreau (Image via X)

Taking to her Instagram account, Meredith shared a picture of the USA squad in the dressing room. She would write, “John I know is sooooo proud of this ❤️?? @usahockey congratulations!!!!“. Before this, she had also shared a post that informed that Team USA had a Gaudreau jersey hanging in their locker room.

Meredith Gaudreau's message
Meredith Gaudreau’s message (Image via Instagram/@meredithgaudreau_)

Meredith and Johnny tied the knot in 2021. The couple were reported to have been dating for a long time before finally taking the big step. They had two children together, one daughter born in 2022 and one son born in 2024. In September, a few days after Johnny’s untimely death, Meredith announced that she was pregnant with a third child.