As the nation celebrates its first Olympic hockey gold since 1980, the true victory wasn’t found in the box score, but in the small feet hitting the ice for the team photo.
The USA hockey team beat Canada to win gold in overtime Sunday at the Winter Olympics in Milan — the first golden victory on ice in 46 years.
But it’s what happened after the momentous game that is still making headlines today.
After Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal just over 100 seconds into overtime, players rushed out to the stands to bring two of late Catholic hockey player Johnny Gaudreau’s children and jersey onto the ice for the team photo.
Known as “Johnny Hockey,” he most likely would’ve been on the ice with the team on Sunday if he hadn’t tragically died at age 31 after being struck by a drunk driver while bicycling alongside his brother Matthew, 29, in New Jersey in August 2024. Matthew was also killed. The Gaudreau brothers died near their family home in southern New Jersey the day before their younger sister Katie was scheduled to be married (her wedding took place a year later).
Johnny was a seven-time NHL All-Star
