02/25/26 08:20:00
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02/25 08:18 CST US men's hockey team feted at State of the Union; Trump says
women's team will be honored 'soon'
US men's hockey team feted at State of the Union; Trump says women's team will
be honored 'soon'
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) --- The Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team
visited President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and
later received about a two-minute bipartisan standing ovation during his State
of the Union address that night.
Trump also announced that the women's hockey team, which also defeated Canada
to win gold, will "soon" visit the White House. The women's team had declined
an invitation to attend the State of the Union due to the timing of the address.
Men's players entered the House chamber through two sets of doors and walked
down the rows of the press gallery. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle not
only stood and cheered but chanted "USA!" several times, many even pumping
fists. Rep. Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted "Love
you!" to the players.
"I want to thank you all," Trump told the players. "What a special job you did.
What special champions you are."
Trump also said goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in the gold
medal game, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's
highest civilian honor. Hellebuyck tapped his heart as those in the chamber
applauded.
Videos and photos shared on social media by Trump administration aides showed
the hockey players posing for a photograph in front of the South Portico. They
walked along the West Wing colonnade where Trump has posted portraits of every
U.S. president just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed
by Trump.
As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press
office's open door to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime win over Canada
on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics. It was the Americans' first gold medal
in men's hockey since the "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980.
Staffers applauded and shouted, "We love you!"
"I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you," Trump said as the
players entered the Oval Office, which he has redecorated with numerous
flourishes of gold that matched the players' medals.
"Big guys," he said, standing near his desk and shaking hands with the players,
who wore dark tops with "USA," the American flag and the Olympic rings on the
front and light-colored pants.
After their victory, a video that circulated on social media appeared to show
Trump inviting the team on a phone call in the locker room, as he joked that
he'd also have to invite the women's team. After the president announced the
women soon would receive a White House visit, the men's players made thumbs-up
gestures while watching from up high.
For forward Matthew Tkachuk, the trip to the White House was becoming a regular
visit.
"Good to see you again," Tkachuk told Trump, as the back-to-back Stanley Cup
champion made his third White House trip in just over 12 months. For some of
the approximately 20 players who made the trip, this was a first.
Tkachuk, who won those Cups with the Florida Panthers, posted pictures on
social media of members of the team celebrating on what appears to be a U.S.
government plane and a group shot of them deplaning at Joint Base Andrews. The
team chartered into Miami on a flight from Italy on Monday, and then dined
together in Miami Beach and visited a nightclub where hundreds of fans clamored
to get inside. They were also given a heroes' welcome at Miami International
Airport.
"Our sport just got the biggest stage in the world of sport," Panthers general
manager Bill Zito, an assistant GM for the Olympic team, said Tuesday. "That's
wonderful. And we need to celebrate it."
___
AP White House reporter Seung Min Kim and AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.
___
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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