Zach Werenski discusses honoring Johnny Gaudreau after winning gold

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Zach Werenski discusses honoring Johnny Gaudreau after winning gold

Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Wed, Feb 25, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski thought celebrating the U.S. men's hockey team's gold medal victory with Johnny Gaudreau 's kids was the perfect way to honor his late teammate.

In an interview with " FOX and Friends " on Feb. 24, Werenski said he and the team had thought about Gaudreau all tournament; the U.S. team had hung his jersey in the locker room. After beating Canada, Werenski, with teammates Auston Mathews and Matthew Tkachuk , skated Gaudreau's jersey around the ice in triumph.

Then, members of Team USA skated over to find Meredith Gaudreau , Johnny's widow, to retrieve Gaudreau's 3-year-old daughter Noa and son Johnny for a photo with the team .

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: The family of the late Johnny Gaudreau celebrate after the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Elsa, Getty Images)

US team members stand with the jersey number 13 of late US ice hockey player Johnny Gaudreau the medal ceremony after winning the men's gold medal ice hockey match between Canada and USA at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 22, 2026. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died in August 2024 after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP via Getty Images)
(ANTONIN THUILLIER, AFP via Getty Images)

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; United States players celebrate with a team photo while holding the jersey of Johnny Gaudreau after defeating Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Meredith Gaudreau walks in the stands after the United States won the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Jeremy Swayman #1, Jackson LaCombe #2, Brady Tkachuk #7 and Zach Werenski #8 of Team United States hold the shirt of late Johnny Gaudreau while participating in the national anthem during the medal ceremony following the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Zach Werenski (left) and Jack Hughes of the United States celebrate after winning the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; The United States celebrates after winning the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

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Johnny Gaudreau's family on hand for Team USA Olympic win

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: The family of the late Johnny Gaudreau celebrate after the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

(Elsa, Getty Images)

"It felt like it was super special," Werenski said in the interview. "This is something John would have been at, and we wanted to make him proud. And to have his kids on the ice, to celebrate with us, it just felt right.

"Obviously, it was our lifelong dream, but it was also John's, and we wanted to honor him the best that we could."

Werenski and Gaudreau were teammates for two seasons before Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck by an alleged drunk driver while biking through Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on Aug. 29, 2024.

Gaudreau was a staple of U.S. hockey. He led the U.S. junior team with seven goals during their 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship run. He was also a bronze medalist during the 2023 IIHF World Championships and was likely to compete in this year's Olympics.

"He really embraced what it meant to be a USA hockey player, and a lot of us wanted to follow in his footsteps," Werenski said. "A lot of guys that played for USA hockey really looked up to John and felt like that was just the right thing to do was to have his kids on the ice, have his family there and to have his jersey in our picture."

During overtime against Canada, Werenski had the game-winning assist to New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes , securing the first U.S. gold medal in men's hockey in 46 years. Werenski finished the tournament with a goal, five assists and a +8 plus-minus, tied with Jack Hughes for the highest rating on the team through the Olympic run.

"You get reminded of how great the United States of America is when you get back here, and we love representing our country. We love wearing those colors," Werenski said. "We're allowed to live out our dream because of the military, the people that serve, the first responders. ... You definitely get an appreciation for it when you go overseas and play."

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See Zach Werenski, other men's hockey stars at Trump's State of the Union

The U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front applaud during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.

(Kenny Holston, Pool via Getty Images)

The U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team with Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes at the front arrive for President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Behind him are Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
(Kenny Holston, Pool via Getty Images)

Members of the Team USA Men's Hockey Team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)

The U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team with Connor Hellebuyck in front attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
(Kenny Holston, Pool via Getty Images)

The U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Behind him are Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
(Kenny Holston, Pool via Getty Images)

Connor Hellebuyck, member of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team, holds up his gold medal.
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)

Members of the Team USA men's hockey team wave to the audience as Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)

Members of the U.S. men's hockey team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)

Members of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team applaud as their teammate Connor Hellebuyck puts his hand to his heart.
(Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS)

Members of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team that won the gold medal, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes, pose with their medals.
(Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS)

Members of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team that won the gold medal cheer during the State of the Union address.
(Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS)

Members of the Team USA men's hockey team walk through the media room before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
(Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images)

Charlie McAvoy arrives for Donald Trump's State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)

Members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal men's hockey team wait backstage ahead of the State of the Union address.
(Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images)

Members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal men's hockey team go through security ahead of an appearance at the State of the Union address.
(Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images)

Werenski and a majority of the U.S. men's team were in attendance for the State of the Union address on Feb. 24 in Washington, D.C., Earlier that day, the team visited the White House on President Donald Trump's invitation.

The Blue Jackets star is expected to play in the Feb. 26 game against the Boston Bruins when the NHL season resumes.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Zach Werenski talks Gaudreau, gold medal on FOX and Friends

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