Johnny and Matthew were an important part of USA Hockey and a tremendous loss. They’re with us in spirit," Team USA G.M. Bill Guerin said.

Team USA will be playing for a lot more than national pride at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off. On Tuesday, the team revealed it has set aside a locker stall for the late Johnny Gaudreau, complete with a No.

Gaudreau thought John — the NHL star known as “Johnny Hockey” — had a chance to play for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Instead, Dad was at dinner Monday night, in the team picture Tuesday and on the ice for the practice that followed.

Golden Knights defenseman and Team USA player Noah Hanifin had a close friendship with the Gaudreau brothers. He was a teammate of Matthew’s at Boston College and skated alongside John for four seasons with the Calgary Flames. Having Guy Gaudreau around was commonplace during Hanifin’s time as Matthew’s classmate and John’s NHL teammate.

Somewhere, up there in the heavens, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau will be watching and cheering when Team USA hits the ice Thursday at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off. “Johnny and Matthew were both a big part of USA Hockey,