Gaudreau Family Rallies Behind Team USA at 2026 Winter Olympics
Team USA received a heartfelt boost from the Gaudreau family during the men’s hockey semifinals at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Meredith Gaudreau, widow of the late Johnny Gaudreau, along with his parents, were seen cheering in the stands as Team USA faced Slovakia on February 20. The match concluded with a victory for Team USA, propelling them into the gold medal game against Canada on February 22.
“You should be here, John, and I’m so sorry you aren’t,” Meredith expressed through her Instagram Stories later that day. “So proud of you and your legacy.”
She also posted an adorable photo of their three-year-old daughter, Noa, proudly wearing Team USA apparel and waving an American flag before the game in Milan. Alongside Noa, Meredith and Johnny shared two sons: Johnny Jr., aged two, and ten-month-old Carter.
Johnny, a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a strong contender for the Olympic team, tragically passed away in an accident in August 2024 at just 31 years old. He and his brother, Matthew, were killed by an alleged drunk driver while cycling before their sister Katie’s wedding in New Jersey.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the team stated at the time. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player but also a loving father, son, brother, and friend.”
The statement concluded with condolences to Meredith, their children, and the entire family on the sudden loss of both brothers.
Meredith, who began dating Johnny in 2018, shared her grief publicly shortly after his passing. “Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much,” she wrote on Instagram in August 2024. “You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again.”
In another tribute, she described Johnny as “the absolute best dad in the world.”
“[He was] so caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with,” she noted in a social media post. “John never missed a single [doctor’s] appointment. He was the best at putting the baby to sleep and was the apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much, Daddy.”
Meredith revealed her pregnancy with their third child during Johnny and Matthew’s funeral in September 2024. She welcomed son Carter in April 2025.
“Our third baby is here!” Meredith announced on Instagram, celebrating Carter’s arrival. “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 you, Daddy, and miss you so much.”
Johnny is survived by his parents and two sisters. Matthew, who passed away at 29, was married to Madeline Gaudreau, who welcomed their son Tripp after the brothers’ tragic deaths.
