{"id":5371,"date":"2026-02-26T17:23:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coolxmagazine.com\/?p=5371"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:23:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:23:50","slug":"five-u-s-mens-hockey-players-absent-from-white-house-visit-after-olympic-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coolxmagazine.com\/?p=5371","title":{"rendered":"Five U.S. Men\u2019s Hockey Players Absent From White House Visit After Olympic Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just days after securing a thrilling Olympic gold medal, several members of the U.S. men\u2019s hockey team made headlines for not attending a White House visit hosted by Donald Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On February 23, Team USA defeated Canada 2\u20131 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post-Game Call and Invitation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The video quickly gained millions of views across social media platforms, generating widespread public discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remarks About the Women\u2019s Team Spark Online Reaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the call, President Trump also referenced the U.S. women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, online reactions were mixed, with some social media users criticizing the remark while others viewed it as humor delivered in the celebratory moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Women\u2019s Team Declines Visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. women\u2019s hockey team, which has medaled at every Olympics since women\u2019s hockey was introduced, later announced they would not attend the White House event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, members of the women\u2019s 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\u2019s sports visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White House Appearance \u2014 With Notable Absences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The men\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most of the 25-player roster attended, five players were not present:<\/p>\n\n\n\n