Johnny Gaudreau Death: USA Hockey Team Poses With Late Player's Kids, Jersey
The USA hockey team honored a deceased hockey player and friend named Johnny Gaudreau by posing for a photo with his jersey and two kids on the ice after the team defeated Canada to take the gold medal at the 2026 Olympic Games.
It was a moving and heartbreaking moment.
Who was Johnny Gaudreau, and how did he die? Gaudreau's death was a very tragic one. An alleged drunk driver killed both brothers in a crash in 2024. According to ESPN, both Gaudreau brothers dreamed of playing hockey in the Olympics. Johnny Gaudreau "was working hard to make the U.S. team heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics" when the brothers died, ESPN reported.
What Was Johnny Gaudreau's Cause of Death? He & His Brother Were Riding Bicycles When Struck
A PICTURE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 22, 2026
Team USA honored Johnny Gaudreau by bringing his 2 kids out to the ice and holding his jersey up for a picture after winning the God Medal.
Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver in 2024, which kept him off the ice today.… pic.twitter.com/LaJapruTUI
The Gaudreau brothers died together. Johnny and Matthew "died on Aug. 29, 2024, when they were struck by an SUV while riding bicycles near their hometown in New Jersey on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding," according to ESPN.
Thinking of Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, young kids, and his entire family today while they navigate this unimaginable tragedy of losing both Johnny and Matthew.
— dani smith spencer (@thedanismith) August 30, 2024
???? pic.twitter.com/Pk0BK8WzgJ
The driver who allegedly struck them, Sean Higgins, is still awaiting trial. Higgins was accused of admitting to police at the scene "that he drank five or six beers and that he hit the brothers as they were riding bicycles at the time," NBC Philadelphia reported. They were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Higgins "was employed at a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center at the time," NBC Philadelphia wrote, adding that he allegedly "failed a sobriety test."
Higgins was charged with aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide and other offenses in the deadly crash. He has not been convicted.
Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Meredith & Parents Watched Team USA Win the Gold Medal
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
According to Newsweek, Johnny's wife, Meredith, and the brothers' parents watched Team USA win the gold medal from the stands.
Meredith's Instagram page is filled with heartbreaking posts about the couple's kids. "2-22 is baby Johnny’s birthday ⭐️ !! Special date picked by his daddy due to travel at the time❤️ Happy 2nd birthday to our baby Johnny boy! We love you so much ???? I am so proud of you ???? Couldn’t think of a better way to spend your 2nd birthday than for a fun day tomorrow ???????? !!" she wrote with one post.
Meredith and Johnny had three kids together, and she was two months pregnant with their youngest son when he died. "Our third baby is here! 4/1/25 Another baby boy ????????" she wrote when he was born. "Carter Michael Gaudreau - same middle name as his daddy.
8lb 3 ounces, 20.5 inches - exact same as his daddy He looks exactly like his daddy too ????."
Meredith Gaudreau added, "I love you so much my baby! We are going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever. John, thank you for giving me our beautiful family. We love u, Daddy and miss you so much ♥️."
Meredith wrote a heartbreaking tribute to her husband for Father's Day. "You never cared if someone thought you were a good or bad player, you just wanted them to know you as John, Noa and Johnny’s dad...." she wrote.
"And I see those wonderful bits of you in our kids every day. Noa is so competitive, just like you. Small dark eyes, long curly black hair. The exact same smile. If she loses, she doesn’t reaaalllly lose — she’ll change the rules so she wins. And she looks exactly like you," Meredith wrote.
(Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
"She asked to call you the other day. She doesn’t quite understand what happened. I tell her you’re in heaven and that we can look at photos and videos. It crushes me every time.," she added. "And Carter, he looks exactly like you, too. How lucky am I for that? I wish so badly that you could meet your son. That he could feel your touch. He’s the easiest. The chillest baby. I know you would be taking a ton of couch naps together. He’s our best."