{"id":498754,"date":"2026-02-25T15:02:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/498754\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T15:02:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:02:12","slug":"us-mens-hockey-team-feted-at-state-of-the-union-trump-says-womens-team-will-be-honored-soon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/498754\/","title":{"rendered":"US men’s hockey team feted at State of the Union; Trump says women’s team will be honored ‘soon’"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 The Olympic gold medal-winning<\/a> U.S. men\u2019s 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<\/a> address that night.<\/p>\n

Trump also announced that the women’s hockey team, which also defeated Canada to win gold<\/a>, will \u201csoon\u201d visit the White House. The women\u2019s team had declined an invitation<\/a> to attend the State of the Union due to the timing of the address.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cUSA!\u201d several times, many even pumping fists. Rep. Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted \u201cLove you!\u201d to the players.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank you all,\u201d Trump told the players. \u201cWhat a special job you did. What special champions you are.”<\/p>\n

Trump also said goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press office\u2019s open door to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics<\/a>. It was the Americans\u2019 first gold medal in men\u2019s hockey since the \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980.<\/p>\n

Staffers applauded and shouted, \u201cWe love you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,\u201d Trump said as the players entered the Oval Office, which he has redecorated<\/a> with numerous flourishes of gold that matched the players\u2019 medals.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig guys,\u201d he said, standing near his desk and shaking hands with the players, who wore dark tops with \u201cUSA,\u201d the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light-colored pants.<\/p>\n

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\u2019d also have to invite the women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

For forward Matthew Tkachuk, the trip to the White House was becoming a regular visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you again,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Tkachuk, who won those Cups with the Florida Panthers, posted pictures on social media<\/a> 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\u2019 welcome at Miami International Airport.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur sport just got the biggest stage in the world of sport,\u201d Panthers general manager Bill Zito, an assistant GM for the Olympic team, said Tuesday. \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful. And we need to celebrate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP White House reporter Seung Min Kim and AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Winter Olympics: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics<\/a><\/p>\n

Darlene Superville, The Associated Press<\/p>\n