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Meredith Gaudreau Expresses Her Feelings When Hockey Team Pays Tribute To Her Late Brother Johnny Gaudreau At The Olympics
Meredith Gaudreau Responds to Team USA’s Tribute to Late Husband Johnny Gaudreau at Olympics
Johnny Gaudreau’s memory keeps lighting up the rink.
The unfortunate demise of the late NHL star and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, occurred when they lost their lives in a bike accident in August 2024. At the 2026 Olympics, Team USA paid a tribute to Johnny after their landmark win. Players Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski came up with the idea of showing Johnny’s jersey before inviting his children—Noa, 3, and Johnny Jr., 2—to the ice to take part in the celebrations.
“I mean that was really something I think they didn’t have to do that,” Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, told ABC News Live on Feb. 24. “It was kind of like right after the game was over and they won the game, the first thing I think that happened was that they got John’s jersey and skated with his jersey around. They really wanted to take my kids out on the ice for a picture.”
Meredith thanked them for such a meaningful gesture saying it was really very special to her family. “I was so thankful for that,” she said. “I was just very, very proud. I’m very thankful to them for including my kids in it and just honoring my husband the way they do. It’s the classiest thing. They are always doing really kind gestures and they include our kids in everything because I know that’s exactly what John would want.”
Meredith Gaudreau Reveal That Johnny’s Kids Joined Team USA on the Ice
Johnny Gaudreau had long dreamt of representing the United States internationally, and pretty much everyone assumed that he was going to be a top candidate for the men’s Olympic hockey team.
Therefore, the fact that Team USA not only recognized him but also did it in such an incredible way made the moment very special for his loved ones—especially seeing his children walking on the ice for the first time to be with their dad who had just been honored.
Meredith who is also a mother of an 11-month-old baby boy named Carter with Johnny, narrated how it happened that Matthew Tkachuk contacted her whilst she was upstairs.
“They told me that they wanted to take the kids out onto the ice for a photograph,” she explained. “So, I said to Noa, ‘Daddy’s friends would like to have a picture with you and Johnny.’”
Meredith Gaudreau Reminisces about Team USA’s Emotional Gesture towards Johnny
Meredith Gaudreau unveiled a very touching moment when she narrated Team USA’s homage to her daughter, Noa.
She went on to say, “‘They came to Daddy’s jersey and want to take a picture. They are doing this because of Daddy. Daddy is the reason you get to do this and they love and miss him, too. That is why we are here,’ I told her,” Meredith said. “She’s started to put things together and she’s very, very proud.”
Meredith was also thrilled not only by Team USA’s 2-1 win over Team Canada but also by the fact that the team’s gestures were a reflection of their love and respect for Johnny.
Recently, Meredith and her family, Gaudreau, have been mourning the loss of Johnny and his brother Matthew. However, she said that the teammates’ continuous support is very comforting to her.
“Still, every day is like a sudden painful emotional shock,” she went on to say. “So when the guys try and include John and our kids, it really does mean the world to me. These guys are not just good people but also our very good friends. I just see them as really nice people who are great role models.”
