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Team USA defeated Finland 4-3 in overtime to win the gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Teddy Stiga scored the winning goal 8:04 into overtime, giving the U.S. its first back-to-back gold medals in the tournament’s history.
Late NHLer Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith penned a heartfelt message on her Instagram story for the USA Junior hockey team after the gold medal game. She shared a picture of the championship winning squad in the locker room with the trophy, who held up Johnny’s No. 13 jersey in honor of his legacy. In the caption, Meredith wrote:
“John I know is sooooo proud of this ❤️🤍💙 @usahockey congratulations!!!”
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Johnny Gaudreau was a standout alumnus of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and won a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship. Later, he won a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship with the senior team.
Johnny's mother Jane Gaudreau also made sure to send her congratulations to Team USA for their gold medal victory.
“Congratulations Boys! ❤️🤍💙Team USA wins Gold. We know John is so happy and so proud!”, she wrote in her story.
Team USA paid special tribute to Johnny Gaudreau’s memory throughout the World Juniors
During their campaign at the 2025 World Junior Championship, Team USA paid a special tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau. In the team locker room, they dedicated a stall to Johnny where they hung his No. 13 jersey.
In a moving interview with USA Hockey, U20 captain and Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard reflected on his best memories of Johnny Gaudreau. He mentioned how he admired that Johnny Gaudreau stayed calm and played with joy in every game, which is something Team USA tries to focus on too.
“Just the way he approached every single game. He was just so calm with every single game. It was just like he was going out there and having fun. We emphasize that a lot out here. Just going out there and having fun and being free. That's really what John did out there,” he said
Leonard shared that meeting Gaudreau last summer and playing golf with him, Kevin Hayes, and Will Smith was one of his favorite memories. He also mentioned how seeing Gaudreau's jersey in the locker room inspired the team as they aim for gold. And gold they did win.
