The United States men’s hockey team couldn’t accept the trophy without No. 13.
They grabbed Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey, then went to hoist the IIHF World Championship trophy.
Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by a drunk driver in August 2024.
He was one of the top players for the U.S. in past World Championships, putting up 13 goals with 43 total points over five separate tournaments.
The U.S. has brought Gaudreau’s jersey with them to multiple tournaments since his death.
Team USA accepts the #MensWorlds trophy with a Johnny Gaudreau jersey in hand 🥹👏 pic.twitter.com/oVYKMmXoWJ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 25, 2025
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Sunday’s accomplishment was a long time coming. The last time the United States won a standalone world championship in hockey was 1933, a 92-year drought..
Next up for the U.S. will be the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, in which NHL players can participate.
Gaudreau joined the NHL just after the last Olympics (2014) in which the pros took part.
His memory will surely remain with the United States team at that tournament, too, as it will remain with the hockey world for a long time.
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