For the first time since 1980, Team USA is back on top of Olympic men's hockey. But at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the celebration in Milan wasn't only about ending a 46-year drought; it was about remembering Johnny Gaudreau.
The Americans defeated Canada 2-1 in a dramatic overtime finish Sunday night. Jack Hughes scored the golden goal just two minutes into three-on-three overtime, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck delivered a career-defining performance, stopping 41 shots to secure the historic win.
It marked only the third Olympic gold in U.S. men's hockey history and the first since the "Miracle on Ice."
Yet when the horn sounded, and players flooded the ice, something even more powerful unfolded.
Brady Tkachuk and Zach Werenski skated around with Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey, honoring the late NHL star who tragically died in 2024 and was expected to compete in these Games. Teammates later brought Gaudreau's children onto the ice for the team photo, creating a moment that transcended sport.
Dylan Larkin said what many felt: "He should be here with us. We did this for him."
In a rivalry often defined by national pride, Team USA's victory carried something deeper: remembrance. The jersey raised high was a quiet testimony that legacy lives on, even in loss.
After 46 years of waiting, America reclaimed gold. But in Milan, the night belonged just as much to the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, a reminder that faith, family, and friendship endure long after the final whistle.
