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 player with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets and holds the title as the all-time leading scorer in international play for the U.S. 

The brothers were inseparable, and both had amazing hockey careers at Gloucester Catholic High School within the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey. At the time of their deaths, Johnny was at the height of his career playing NHL, and Matthew had found a home coaching hockey at his alma mater after being a star amateur player.

Thousands in South Jersey made sure to make Mass Saturday night so they could watch the USA team play early on Sunday morning; among those avid fans was a contingent from Gloucester Catholic. Guy Gaudreau, father of Johnny and Matthew, had worked to build the sport and its stellar program at the Catholic high school. Johnny became a beacon of hope for every little kid on skates dreaming of playing professional hockey, with his younger brother following in the footsteps of their father as a coach. 

Today, as snow is still coming down in New Jersey and much of the Northeast amid another winter storm, the high school noted the snow day on its Facebook page in a special way: “We have decided to celebrate the spirit of Johnny Hockey and the victory of USA hockey.”

Just a year and a half ago, the high school marked the tragedy of losing two of its alumni at a night of remembrance just ahead of the funeral. Writing on social media, the Catholic school said: 

“Johnny and Matt truly loved Gloucester Catholic, and the entire Gaudreau family have always been loyal and dedicated supporters of Gloucester Catholic. Along with their incredible talents on the ice they will be remembered even more by our GC Family as loving sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, friends and role models.”

The principal of the prestigious school founded in 1926 also noted the brothers’ devotion to their faith and family: 

“Johnny and Matt were incredible hockey players and students, but even more amazing human beings,” Thomas Iacovone Jr. said in the statement. “Their loss will be felt forever by the entire Gloucester Catholic community and by me personally. I will continue to pray for them and their families during this unimaginable tragedy.”

Johnny’s devotion to his family was also shared during the touching funeral Mass Sept. 9, 2024, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, he was a father of three: daughter Noa, who was 22 months old, the 6-month-old son named after him, and an unborn child who was only 9 weeks gestationally in wife Meredith’s womb. Brother Matthew was expecting his first child that Christmas. 

Speaking in front of family, friends and NHL players who had traveled to attend the funeral, Meredith spoke about the glimmer of hope she found having Johnny’s legacy carry on with his children. 

“In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five. It doesn’t even sound possible. But I look at it as the ultimate blessing,” the grieving widow said. 

“How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies, our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances. Despite losing my husband way too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife.”

Looking to the coffin and speaking to Johnny directly, she told him: 

“I miss you so much, and I love you. You are my forever, and I cannot wait until we are all together again. Please watch over us.”

As the nation celebrates its first Olympic hockey gold since 1980’s “Miracle on Ice,” the true victory wasn’t found in the box score, but in the small feet hitting the ice for the team photo. In the laughter of Johnny’s children and the sight of his jersey held high, the world — including hockey-rival Canada, which dubbed it a “class act” — saw a legacy that tragedy could not erase. 

As a gold medal heads home to a family who has given so much to the game, we are reminded that while life is fragile, a legacy built on faith and love is eternal. May we keep the Gaudreau family in our prayers, today and always.