It’s going to be almost a year since the world of hockey lost Johnny Gaudreau, but his presence remains an indomitable one . It wasn’t about the history they created when Team USA won their first ever IIHF World Championship in 92 years; it was about whom they did it for. Nobody expected fireworks at the final game, but they didn’t anticipate the emotional tribute that left the entire arena feeling Gaudreau’s presence once again. The locker room would’ve likely been abuzz with the medal victory, but the players’ minds were with their missing teammate. And when Zach Werenski emerged, clutching Gaudreau’s jersey for the winning photo, it wasn’t an idle gesture. It was a reminder—Gaudreau wasn’t part of the past; he’s still influencing the present.

When the United States defeated Switzerland 1-0 in an overtime nailbiter to clinch that much-awaited gold, it was as much a moment for Johnny Gaudreau as for anybody. This was best described by goalie Jeremy Swayman: “This gold goes to him and the legacy that he’s paved.”

For Werenski, a teammate of Gaudreau’s both in Columbus and last year at the World Championships, this tournament carried a different kind of significance. To him, it wasn’t about just winning—it was about paying tribute to a friend. “No one deserves this gold medal more than him,” he said after the win.

The tribute wasn’t an after-game aside either. All throughout the tournament, Werenski said he made Gaudreau a pre-game priority. “”I see his jersey hanging there. In Columbus, it hangs there. Last year’s tournament was the last time I got to play with him and share the ice with him. He deserves this. I’m just really happy to get a gold medal for him this year,” he said, holding back tears. Being named Player of the Game and presented with Johnny’s hallmark knit beanie felt like both the best and toughest thing.

But it wasn’t just Werenski remembering Johnny Hockey. Everyone on the team felt it—especially after Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, posted “All for you” to her Instagram story, the players waving his jersey around on the ice. Everybody felt it: Swayman too: “He would be here, obviously. We miss him terribly.” Each save, shot, and scuffle on the boards were playing for everyone.

An important victory for Team USA

After nearly a century of misses, this win was a long time coming for Team USA. But to think that their last win at the World Championship came in 1933 was absurd, even for the players. “It’s a crazy stat,” said Tage Thompson. “It’s something that everyone in that room took to heart. When we got here, we all knew we wanted to be a part of something special, and I think each guy in that room committed, whether you were playing power play, top minutes, or you were in and out of the lineup or not playing at all. Everybody was positive, pulling for each other, and after one common goal. That’s why we won.”

After heartbreak at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, losing to Canada in the final as has been the case in many an international tournament, Team USA entered the tournament with a point to prove. They had, after all, only 5 titles to their name compared to Canada’s 28. And with stars like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon on their roster, it looked like Canada was going to make it 29. In comparison, the U.S. only had two members from the 4 Nations contingent on the team (Swayman and Werenski). But with Canada suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Denmark in the quarterfinal, the tournament was suddenly Team USA’s to lose, and they didn’t waste the chance.

“That’s hockey, man,” Swayman said. “The biggest moments and the biggest stages, that’s what we live for. I knew that we had something special in here. We went back in that locker room and we were excited for it. We weren’t nervous. We knew this was going to be an incredible moment. … 1933, that was in our mind the whole time and we knew we had a job to do. Mission accomplished, baby.”

Team USA’s victory wasn’t just historic—it was personal. And in every single tournament, every single goal, every single victory, the name of Johnny Gaudreau will still be part of the story. It wasn’t a tribute—it was a reminder: his legacy lives on.