Just days after securing a thrilling Olympic gold medal, several members of the U.S. men’s hockey team made headlines for not attending a White House visit hosted by Donald Trump.
On February 23, Team USA defeated Canada 2–1 in a dramatic Olympic final, capturing gold in one of the most anticipated matchups of the Winter Games. The longstanding hockey rivalry between the United States and Canada brought added intensity to the championship, drawing massive national and international viewership.
Post-Game Call and Invitation
Shortly after the victory, video footage from the locker room circulated widely online. In the clip, President Trump congratulated the team by phone and extended an invitation to visit the White House.
During the call, the president reportedly joked about sending a military aircraft to transport the players and expressed particular interest in meeting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, who played a pivotal role in the gold-medal win.
The video quickly gained millions of views across social media platforms, generating widespread public discussion.
Remarks About the Women’s Team Spark Online Reaction
During the call, President Trump also referenced the U.S. women’s hockey team, which won Olympic gold as well. He suggested that both teams should be invited to the White House, adding a lighthearted comment that drew laughter in the room.
However, online reactions were mixed, with some social media users criticizing the remark while others viewed it as humor delivered in the celebratory moment.
U.S. Women’s Team Declines Visit
The U.S. women’s hockey team, which has medaled at every Olympics since women’s hockey was introduced, later announced they would not attend the White House event.
In a statement shared with NBC, a team spokesperson expressed gratitude for the invitation but explained that prior academic and professional commitments prevented the athletes from participating.
Instead, members of the women’s team attended a celebratory event hosted by rapper Flavor Flav in Las Vegas. The rapper later confirmed the gathering on social media, drawing further attention to the situation and sparking additional conversation around women’s sports visibility.
White House Appearance — With Notable Absences
The men’s team proceeded with a White House appearance during the State of the Union address on February 24. President Trump recognized the athletes during the event, acknowledging their achievement on a national stage.
While most of the 25-player roster attended, five players were not present:
- Brock Nelson
- Jackson LaCombe
- Jake Guentzel
- Jake Oettinger
- Kyle Connor
Four of the absent players have Minnesota ties, while Nelson and Connor are originally from Michigan.
Scheduling and Professional Commitments
No official statements indicated that the absences were politically motivated. In fact, several players had National Hockey League (NHL) obligations, as the regular season resumed on February 25.
Kyle Connor, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets, publicly addressed his decision, explaining that he prioritized preparation for upcoming games.
Other absent players are also active NHL athletes, suggesting that professional scheduling likely played a significant role in their inability to attend.
Teammates Respond to Public Debate
Jack Hughes, a center for the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal in the Olympic final, later addressed the broader public reaction.
Hughes emphasized that the men’s team strongly supports the women’s squad and expressed pride in representing the United States at the highest level of international competition.
He also commented on the increasing overlap between sports and politics, noting that athletes remain focused on their performance and national representation.