US President Donald Trump said Tuesday (February 24, 2026) he was giving the nation’s highest civilian honour to national ice hockey team goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck as he honoured the squad at his State of the Union address to Congress.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been given to popes and political activists and also Olympic athletes in the past.
Trump’s embrace of the men’s team came as the women’s side, which also won gold at the recently concluded Winter Olympics, declined an invitation to the speech.
“Here with us is a group of winners," Mr. Trump said as the hockey team entered Congress — the players wearing their gold medals around their necks — to chants of “USA, USA, USA!"
“Great athletes have gotten that," Mr. Trump said of the award. “I thought he deserved it."
Mr. Hellebuyck stood out in the men’s 2-1 gold medal win over Canada with 41 blocked shots, including a spectacular behind-the-back save.
The women’s team said earlier Tuesday (February 24, 2026) it had declined the invitation to the State of the Union, though Mr. Trump said in his speech they “will soon be coming to the White House."
A statement from USA Hockey, the sport’s national governing body, sent to AFP Tuesday (February 24, 2026) said the players were “unable to participate" in the State of the Union due to prior commitments.
Team USA’s women’s team won gold for the first time since 2018 when they beat the Canadians Thursday, also 2-1.
The U.S. men’s team followed that up Sunday (February 22, 2026) with their own ice hockey gold for the first time in 46 years.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
