USA Hockey Pays Tribute to Gaudreau Brothers with New Decal for National Teams

Thursday, October 3rd, 2024

The upcoming season will see USA Hockey commemorating the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau by having national teams at various levels sport a special helmet decal in their honor.

This decal includes a backdrop filled with stars, symbolizing their heavenly journey, with the Gaudreau name and their jersey numbers, 13 and 21, prominently displayed.

The brothers sadly lost their lives in a drunk driving incident on August 29th while they were biking in their home state. They had been set to participate as groomsmen in their sister's wedding the next day.

Pat Kelleher, who serves as the executive director of USA Hockey, noted the profound sadness the organization feels and their wish to pay tribute to the brothers through this meaningful gesture.

Besides the U.S. national teams, the emblem will feature on two teams part of USA Hockey's development program, as well as on the men's and women's sled hockey teams.

Johnny Gaudreau, who earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 2013 World Junior Championship, spent eight seasons playing with the Calgary Flames and two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets have also planned to honor the brothers during the season.

Matthew Gaudreau spent time in the USHL and at Boston College before venturing into a five-year professional career in the American Hockey League and ECHL.

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