It’s hard to find a reason to be excited in the United States these days, but this morning at 7AM local time, a group of twenty-five players and their coaches, trainers, and other representatives took to the ice in the Gold Medal game of the Milan 2026 Olympic Games against Team Canada. The game was a classic (minus the 3 fights in the first 10 seconds of play like the 4 Nations Tournament). Both sides played extremely well, and it was sad that somebody had to accept the silver.
This game did not feel like the same game as the 4 Nations game as the political backdrop was much more apparent in the prior matchup. These guys play for and against each other throughout the season in the NHL, so for me personally, it was tough to root against anyone on the ice representing their country.
Of course, the media and announcers had to set the stage prior to the game, as they always do by exploring “the game inside the game.” However, even before the puck dropped, I was wondering if Johnny Gaudreau had a role in the team’s psyche. Johnny Gaudreau was a super talented hockey player that was, along with his brother Matthew, tragically killed by a drunk driver while bicycling on a country back road in their hometown the day before their sister’s wedding. Johnny Rocket was just 31 years old; his brother, 29.
Seeing the game was a treat for even the most casual of hockey fan. However, the way and the manner by which they honored the life of Johnny and Matthew took me back to a time when the game: the play, the players, the result, was secondary. Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and Zach Warenski fulfilled their mission of winning it for Johnny and Matthew… and celebrated with such respect and grace… it literally brought a tear to my your eye (hockey fans don’t cry, or so we are led to believe).
From a personal standpoint, I am drawn between the parallels and the interweaving of sports in society. Most fans are. Just watch ESPN’s 30 for 30 and shorts segments during SportsCenter for inspirational stories at the intersection of life and sport.
For a moment, I had forgotten that my home country is more divided than ever. The looks on those representatives’ faces washed away when Jack Hughes dropped the golden goal made me forget about everything else, and legitimately be so happy for that team.
They did it for Johnny and Matthew. Mission Accomplished. A poetic end to a blisteringly-paced tournament, smack dab in the middle of the NHL season.
If you are not yet a hockey fan, I invite you to do some research on the impact Johnny and Matthew’s tragic end served as fuel to unify around something special. Then watch the game. REALLY watch the game armed with the knowledge that these players were putting everything on the line, including their own bodies (and teeth). I would almost guarantee I could make you whimper by throwing a puck at under 70 miles per hour into your rib cage. These guys (on both sides) were dropping to the ice to stop shots that were much faster than that. They weren’t paid to take the damage. They had their careers in the NHL to go back to after the game was over. But hockey players are special (and a bit crazy too).
I could not be prouder to be an American than when the team brought Johnny’s kids onto the ice for their team photo, and when Auston, Matthew, and Zach skated to center ice to honor them.
I’m not crying. You are… and that is okay by me. If you know me at all, you know I like my sports jerseys. I follow players mostly, and Johnny Rocket was one that I followed while he was with the Calgary Flames. I was already planning on buying a Calgary jersey of Gaudreau; looks like now I need to add the USA #13 to that order as well.
Thank you to Team USA for representing this country in the way it was intended. With honor, dignity, and most of all, respect to both the country and the legacy of the Gaudreau brothers. May they continue to rest in peace; I am sure they are smiling if there is such a place in the afterlife.
