{"id":192301,"date":"2026-02-25T02:03:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T02:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/192301\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T02:03:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T02:03:09","slug":"anaheim-duck-skips-u-s-hockey-team-visit-to-white-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/192301\/","title":{"rendered":"Anaheim Duck Skips U.S. Hockey Team Visit to White House"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The United States men\u2019s hockey team was in Washington, D.C., to celebrate their gold medal win over Canada, but one Anaheim Duck wasn\u2019t in attendance.<\/p>\n

Defenseman Jackson LaCombe is one of five players who didn\u2019t make the trip, as reported in Yahoo! Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The others are Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Brock Nelson and Jake Oettinger.<\/p>\n

At least five US men\u2019s hockey team members have declined Trump\u2019s White House invitation, including Jake Guentzel, Brock Nelson, Jake Oettinger, Kyle Connor, and Jackson Lacombe. pic.twitter.com\/hQiuzD1qHa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Those who did attend are also expected at the State of the Union address Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

\"Jan<\/p>\n

Jan 26, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Mattias Ekholm (14) tries to blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks defensemen Jackson LaCombe (2) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Why Did LaCombe Skip the White House visit?<\/p>\n

Those who skipped the White House visit haven\u2019t publicly commented on why they chose to do so, but the American hockey team has been enveloped by political controversy in recent days.<\/p>\n

Not only did FBI Director Kash Patel celebrate with the men\u2019s team after their win, but President Donald Trump spoke to the team via phone after their victory.<\/p>\n

On that phone call, Trump disparaged the women\u2019s national team<\/a>, which also won a gold medal.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI must tell you, we\u2019re going to have to bring the women\u2019s team, you do know that,\u201d Trump told the men\u2019s team, as reported by NBC News.<\/p>\n

If he did not invite the women\u2019s team, \u201cI do believe I probably would be impeached,\u201d he joked to laughter.<\/p>\n

The women\u2019s team declined a visit, citing scheduling conflicts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Feb<\/p>\n

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Team United States celebrate on the ice while holding a jersey of their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau after the medal ceremony during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s hockey team member Jack Hughes has pushed back on the alleged friction.<\/p>\n

Greg Wyshynski of ESPN<\/a> reports that Hughes believes the men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams are \u201ctight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are so negative about things,\u201d he said. \u201cI think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them. The same way we feel about them, they feel about us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Did LaCombe Skip the White House Over Something Else?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also possible that LaCombe didn\u2019t want to visit the White House for another Trump-related reason.<\/p>\n

LaCombe is a native of Minnesota, and the Trump administration\u2019s immigration raids have targeted the Minneapolis area.<\/p>\n

Two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed by federal agents.<\/p>\n

The post Anaheim Duck Skips U.S. Hockey Team Visit to White House<\/a> appeared first on LA Sports Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n