It took the USA almost a century to get back to the top of the ice hockey world. But better late than never. The much-awaited moment came on Sunday at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, where the USA defeated Switzerland 1-0 to win the gold-medal game of the 2025 IIHF World Championship. With that, the 92-year-long drought of winning gold at the tournament finally came to an end (they last won it in 1933). And surely enough, Johnny Gaudreau, even in the afterlife, was there to be a part of the celebrations.

In August last year, the 31-year-old Johnny Gaudreau, along with his brother, was killed by an alleged drunk driver while they were cycling in their home state of New Jersey. And yet, as the USA reclaimed its top seat in hockey, the former Columbus Blue Jackets star wasn’t absent from the minds of his colleagues on Sunday. Naturally, the late hockey star’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, couldn’t hold back on her heaving emotions.

In her Instagram story from May 25, captioned “Congratulations!“, Meredith noted her elation at seeing Team USA members accepting the IIHF World Championship trophy with Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey in their hands. “Proud of everyone in this photo,” she wrote in her IG story, justifiably over the moon seeing that her late husband was given a nod of the hat by his teammates.

Posing for the photos post-victory, Team USA members dropped Johnny’s #13 jersey on the IIHF Cup, making sure that his legacy wasn’t forgotten. A classy way to remember their fallen brother. “Johnny Hockey Forever,” Meredith announced triumphantly on her latest Insta story. However, she was even happier about how Gaudreau’s Blue Jackets colleague, Zach Werenski, was also among the names on the roster that helped the USA win the coveted hockey honor.

Sharing the Jackets’ social media post in another IG story, captioned “Z’s BRINGIN’ HOME GOLD,” Meredith triumphantly announced, “Yass he is,” with a couple of clapping emojis, showcasing how she couldn’t have hoped for more than seeing her late husband’s NHL teammate lifting the IIHF trophy. But that wasn’t the only Johnny Gaudreau connection for the Team USA star from the night.

In an Insta post by the official USA Hockey account, Werenski could be seen being handed Johnny’s beanie hat by fellow defenseman Jackson LaCombe. Amidst loud applause from his teammates, the USA’s #8 accepted the beanie. “It means the world,” he said. After all, the last time he played with Gaudreau was at the same tournament last year. “This one’s for Johnny,” as Zach lifted up the IIHF gold medal hanging around his neck.

“That’s hockey, man. The biggest moments and the biggest stages, that’s what we live for. I knew that we had something special in here,” said Jeremy Swayman, who made 25 saves to keep the Swiss at bay and the score at 1-0 in Sweden on Sunday night. “I tell you what, this tournament and this group rejuvenated me as an individual,” the national goalie couldn’t stop grinning.

Understandably, it was emotional for Meredith to witness such love for her departed husband. But it’s safe to say that by now, she knows: The USA hockey team will never be without Johnny Gaudreau when celebrating milestones.

The hockey community never let go of Johnny Gaudreau’s memory

At the 4 Nations Face-Off, held earlier this year, Johnny Gaudreau’s memory was hailed by his teammates in another heartwarming move. The Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk revealed that their colleague still had his own stall, and Johnny’s jersey shared space with the rest of the boys. “USA Hockey is a family, Johnny was part of that family,” Jack Eichel said.

Meredith was moved. “Classy organization & group of people. John wanted to be a part of this so bad. Thank you for honoring him,” she wrote on social media, unable to contain her feelings. Along with the national team, the Columbus Blue Jackets also came up with something special to make sure Johnny wasn’t forgotten.

“John called everyone a donkey,” Zach revealed. And with that, the idea of the “Donkey Hat” was born as a way to recognize the player of the game in honor of Gaudreau. It replaced the ‘kepi’—a replica Civil War hat—as the chosen memento for the honor. “Kepi, as bad as this might sound, didn’t mean much to me or anyone really. But this is more meaningful,” the Columbus defenseman said of how the new attire for the team was already a hit.

The Calgary Flames, Gaudreau’s other former team, took things a notch further and sent customized jerseys Meredith’s way after she gave birth to her and Johnny’s third baby in April. “Carter’s first jersey!” she dotingly showed off the jersey on social media. Safe to say that the late star’s wife won’t have to be afraid that his memory will fade away from the world anytime soon!