Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, said she is thankful for Team USA after the team included her husband in its gold medal celebration at the Olympics.
Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime Sunday. After the final buzzer, players skated around with Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey and took pictures on the ice with his daughter and son. Meredith Gaudreau and Johnny Gaudreau’s parents were emotional as they watched from the stands. She said it was a classy and heartwarming moment for her family.
“Yeah, I was really, really proud of that whole team. They didn’t have to do that,” Gaudreau said in an interview with ABC News. “And it seemed like as soon as the game was over and they won the game, it was almost like the first thing they did was grab John’s jersey and skate around with his jersey. And then my phone was ringing, and they wanted to bring the kids out on the ice for a photo. And I was so thankful for that.”
“I felt really proud of John because everything they did and that they continue to do is out of respect and love for him,” She added.
Johnny Gaudreau was an 11-year NHL veteran and was likely to play for Team USA in Milan.
He and his brother, Matthew, were killed in August 2024 when police said they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bicycles in New Jersey the night before their sister’s wedding.