Team USA pays tribute to Johnny Gaudreau in Gold Medal win on Sunday.

The United States of America pulled off a huge victory on Sunday when they defeated Canada in the Gold Medal game, taking it in overtime thanks to a heroic goal courtesy of New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes who had been busted open by a high stick earlier in the game.

It was a monumental victory for the American players and the weight of what that meant was clearly written all over the face of each and every American player, but despite what the moment meant to each of them their hearts and minds were not on themselves. In an incredible display of class, three members of team USA, Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk, Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews, and Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman Zach Werenski, immediately rushed to grab Johnny Gaudreau's jersey to parade it around the ice.

Gaudreau was of course tragically killed alongside his brother Matthew when they were struck by a drunk driver in August of 2024. Gaudreau would have been a member of this American squad had his life not been taken so tragically and it was made clear by the aforementioned players that Gaudreau very much remains a part of the team in spirit.

There may have even been a little divine intervention at play with today being the second birthday of Johnny Gaudreau's son, Johnny Jr. and with the Gaudreau family in attendance for today's game.