Some of Johnny Gaudreau's last words to his father are revealed, and they're truly heartbreaking
Photo credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Johnny Gaudreau chased the Olympics with Team USA in his heart, and the final push he asked for still hurts to read.
In May 2024, Gaudreau called his dad, Guy, with one clear mission on his mind.
«Dad when I come home, we really have to push it,» his sister Katie remembered him saying.
Then came the line that lands like a punch, «I really want to make the Olympics.»
From there, it was rinks, car rides, sweat, and stubborn belief that his spot was still out there.
The cruel part is everyone around him could see it coming together, including his own dad.
Gaudreau's on-ice resume already screamed world class, 242-500-742 across 763 NHL games.
Team USA kept his No. 13 hanging in the room all tournament, like a silent extra teammate.
Johnny Gaudreau still lifts the United States men's team
If you're a Team USA fan, you probably felt that mix of pride and anger, because this moment should have been his to live.
Sunday's gold medal game ended 2-1 in overtime, and the celebration turned into a tribute.
Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and Zach Werenski carried Gaudreau's jersey across the ice after the win.
Then it got even more personal, because his two youngest joined the gold medal photo right on the ice.
Noa sat on Werenski's lap, and little Johnny Jr., celebrating his second birthday, sat on Dylan Larkin's.
That's the part that sticks, the dream didn't die on a quote, it lived for a minute in a gold medal picture.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23|189 ANSWERS Some of Johnny Gaudreau's last words to his father are revealed, and they're truly heartbreaking Should Team USA keep honoring Johnny Gaudreau at major tournaments? | ||
| Yes | 120 | 63.5 % |
| No | 69 | 36.5 % |
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