Red Wings' Dylan Larkin issues heartfelt statement on Johnny Gaudreau
Photo credit: https://x.com/BradGalli/status/1889490934489874886
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin offered a touching statement on Johnny Gaudreau before Team USA hits the ice at the 4 Nations Faceoff.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is one of a pair of Red Wings players along with Lucas Raymond set to play in the 4 Nations Faceoff, which begins today with a matchup between Canada and Sweden.
Larkin was chosen to play for the Americans, while Raymond will play for Sweden.
Before the US's 1st game against Finland on Thursday, Larkin offered a heartfelt tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, who passed away before the year began.
Any time, I think the last 3 USA World Championships I played in was with Johnny, and you know obviously last year I wanted to go paly with him, he was one of the big reasons. They had a good team going over there, and he called me and said 'Let's play a little more'.
It was hard not to be there and having to sit at home and have surgery....it's gonna be weird with him not there. The staff, everyone knows him - all the guys who played with him whether with their clubs or with USA. Last year's World Championships, he went there to try and bounce back from the season in Columbus and make that team, and he had a great tournament. He ended up the all-time leader in points for USA Hockey, which is an unbelievable accomplishment.
It's gonna be hard and definitely a motivator, hopefully, I think there's probably gonna be a jersey in his stall for him, and I think that'd be the right thing to do.
It was hard not to be there and having to sit at home and have surgery....it's gonna be weird with him not there. The staff, everyone knows him - all the guys who played with him whether with their clubs or with USA. Last year's World Championships, he went there to try and bounce back from the season in Columbus and make that team, and he had a great tournament. He ended up the all-time leader in points for USA Hockey, which is an unbelievable accomplishment.
It's gonna be hard and definitely a motivator, hopefully, I think there's probably gonna be a jersey in his stall for him, and I think that'd be the right thing to do.
