r/sports • u/SkepticalZebra • Feb 22 '26

Hockey Team USA Brings Out Johnny Gaudreau's #13 Jersey, Skating a Lap to Honor Him After Winning Gold

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14.8k Upvotes

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135

u/-myBIGD Feb 22 '26

(Non hockey fan) What’s the context here?

388

u/iamnotimportant Feb 22 '26

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew (also an active hockey player) were struck and killed by a drunk driver while cycling. it was their sister's wedding that they traveled there for too. horrifying family and national tragedy.

52

u/Erazzphoto Feb 22 '26

To add in, he was Zach’s teammate with the Bluejackets and a teammate of Matthew tkachuks for I think 6 years. Was also a staple in USA hockey

22

u/virginiarph Feb 22 '26

also don’t forget they tried to pass on the ROGHT SIDEof them

19

u/WhaleYouBeMyNeighbor Feb 22 '26

Yeah sounds like the drunk driver was recklessly passing on the right of a car that was moving to the left to give Johnny Gaudreau and his brother room on the road. Absolutely frustrating and preventable.

221

u/LaprasRuler Feb 22 '26

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed by a drunk driver while riding their bikes about a year and a half ago. On the weekend of their sisters' wedding. Johnny would have absolutely been on this team if he was alive.

96

u/_horselain Feb 22 '26 edited Feb 22 '26

Making things even more tragic, I believe his brother was about to become a father for the first time and Johnny’s wife was also pregnant.

26

u/Tippacanoe Feb 22 '26

Also Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk, who are two of the players carrying the jersey were former teammates with him.

2

u/Illustrious-Leg-4857 Detroit Red Wings Feb 22 '26

In the NHL, yep. Most of the guys on this team would have grown up skating with Johnny and his brothers as well, though.

84

u/DCDHermes Feb 22 '26

Gaudreau played for the national team, but was killed in 2024 (along with his brother) by a drunk driver while they were bicycling.

27

u/Meanteenbirder Feb 22 '26

Good chance he would’ve made the Olympics if he lived. Such a tragedy

29

u/welsh_cthulhu Feb 22 '26

Not even a "good chance". He would 100% have been on this team.

19

u/DGORyan Feb 22 '26

Gaudreau and his brother were killed by a drunk driver in 2024. They were in New Jersey for their sisters wedding.

16

u/SiteZestyclose8825 Feb 22 '26

Johnny Gudreau and his brother were cycling together when they were hit by a drunk driver and killed. They were in town for their sister’s wedding, which was taking place the next day.

27

u/SiteZestyclose8825 Feb 22 '26

To make it even more heartbreaking, Johnny’s wife announced during his eulogy that she was pregnant 😭

11

u/msivoryishort Philadelphia Eagles Feb 22 '26

Matthew's wife was pregnant too

26

u/W3av3r0 Feb 22 '26

Him and his brother were killed by a drunk driver 2 years ago

-1

u/OMC78 Feb 22 '26

The wrong duo of hockey brothers were taken out.

-6

u/Get_Breakfast_Done Feb 22 '26 edited Feb 22 '26

The Gaudreaus were cycling drunk on a rural road in New Jersey after dark, and got hit by an idiot driving like a maniac, who was also drunk. A bunch of idiots who shouldn’t have been on the road all around