The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team sees a Johnny Gaudreau #13 jersey every time they’re in their locker room in Milano, Italy.
“We know he’s here with us, cheering us on and rooting for us,” alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk told NBC News. “He’s got his own area in the locker room and it’s always nice to see that as a reminder.”
Gaudreau, 31, an NHL star, would likely have been on the team had he not been killed in an August 2024 crash in Salem County, where he grew up. His brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was also killed in the crash, by an alleged drunken driver.
The brothers were riding bikes on a rural road while in New Jersey for their sister’s wedding. The case against Sean Higgins of Pilesgrove is pending in Superior Court of Salem County.
Johnny Gaudreau was an 11-year NHL veteran and played several times for Team USA in international competitions, scoring 43 points in 40 games.
Adorning the jersey is his number, 13, as well as his brother’s jersey, 21, from his playing days. Matthew played minor league hockey and was an up-and-coming coach.
His family issued a statement on Feb. 6 on the Olympics opening day saying they were experiencing “pride and heartache.”
“Representing Team USA at the Olympics was one of his greatest dreams,” the family’s statement said. “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.”
And “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. Our family will be cheering for every player wearing the red, white, and blue, and celebrating so many friends representing teams around the world.”
U.S. men’s hockey team head coach Mike Sullivan said the team also hung Gaudreau’s jersey last year during the Four Nations tournament. “The fact that our team is celebrating him throughout this tournament just speaks volumes to the character and the person that Johnny was,” he told NBC News. “I know how much he meant to a lot of the guys in that room.”
The men’s hockey team is 3-0 in the Olympics and will play in a quarterfinal game Wednesday.
The Gaudreau family said: “Though 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.”
“Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride,” they wrote. The Gaudreau family said.”
