USA Hockey announced Thursday that all U.S. national teams will wear a helmet decal honouring the memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau this season.
According to USA Hockey, “the decal artwork includes stars floating toward the heavens with the Gaudreau name and the jersey numbers of Johnny (13) and Matthew (21).”
It will also be worn on the helmets of the two teams part of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
This follows the NHL’s announcement that its 32 teams will do the same through Oct. 24.
“Johnny and Matthew, along with their families, will forever be a part of the USA Hockey family,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey, in a news release from the organization. “This is a small way to not only honour their memory, but help keep their wonderful spirit for our great game and life in general in the forefront.”
Johnny and Matthew were killed Aug. 29 in New Jersey after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
Johnny, 31, was in the NHL for 11 seasons, spending nine years with the Calgary Flames before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets for the next two.
He played for the U.S. national team several times in his career, including at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, and the IIHF Men’s World Championship in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024.
Matthew, 29, played five seasons in the AHL, ECHL and overseas in Sweden.
Both brothers spent time playing in the United States Hockey League, a junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey.
