In a historic moment that blended sports glory with the nation’s highest civilian honor, President Donald Trump announced during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address that U.S. men’s hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The announcement came as members of the gold medal-winning Olympic team sat in the House chamber, their victory over Canada still fresh and their place in hockey history secured after ending a 46-year gold drought.
How the Medal Announcement Unfolded: Inside Trump's State of the Union Moment
Fresh off an Olympic gold medal-winning performance that captivated the nation, Team USA men's hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck learned he would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a dramatic moment in President Trump's State of the Union address. "The members of this hockey squad will be very happy to hear that, based on their vote, and my vote, and in this case my vote was more important, that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor ... the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump told the joint session of Congress and a national television audience.
The president revealed that he had asked the team to vote on whether Hellebuyck should receive the honor during their visit to the Oval Office earlier in the day. According to Trump, every member of the team "rapidly put up their hands" in approval. The announcement came after Trump invited members of Team USA into the House chamber wearing their gold medals, where they received an extended standing ovation and chants of "U-S-A!" from both sides of the aisle. "That's the first time I've ever seen them get up," Trump quipped, referring to Democratic members of Congress.
Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets netminder who backstopped Team USA to its first men's hockey gold since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980, reacted visibly to the honor, kissing his gold medal and pumping his fist as another round of applause filled the chamber. "I've never seen a goalie play as well as Connor Hellebuyck," Trump added, earning the 31-year-old goaltender yet another ovation.
Timeline: From Golden Save to Presidential Honor
The road to the Presidential Medal of Freedom announcement began with what many are calling one of the greatest goaltending performances in Olympic history. Here's how events unfolded:
Sunday, February 22: Hellebuyck stops 41 of Team Canada's 42 shots in the gold medal game. With the score tied 1-1 in the third period, he makes a miraculous save by stretching his stick out behind him to deflect a point-blank shot from Devon Toews. Team USA would go on to win 2-1 in sudden-death three-on-three overtime.
Tuesday afternoon: The U.S. men's hockey team visits the White House, where Trump asks them to vote on whether Hellebuyck should receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. All players vote in favor.
Tuesday evening: Twenty members of the team arrive at the Capitol for the State of the Union address. Five players—Jake Guentzel, Kyle Connor, Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, and Jake Oettinger—decline to attend.
During the address: Trump introduces the team, leading to a bipartisan standing ovation. He then announces Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling it "our highest civilian honor."
Post-address: The announcement generates immediate buzz across sports and political circles, with reactions ranging from celebration to controversy about the mixing of sports and politics.
Why Hellebuyck's Performance Made History
Connor Hellebuyck's gold medal game performance wasn't just outstanding—it was historically significant. His 41 saves against a dominant Canadian team marked the second-highest save total in a gold medal game since the NHL began participating in the Olympics in 1998. The crucial stick save on Toews has already been dubbed "The Hellebuyck Miracle" by some hockey analysts, drawing comparisons to Jim Craig's legendary performance in the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
"I asked him, 'The one shot, the one where you put the stick in the back, and it hit the stick and bounced off, do you practice that or was that a little lucky?'" Trump recounted during the State of the Union. "He refused to answer that question."
The win came exactly 46 years after the last U.S. men's hockey gold medal, when a team of college players stunned the Soviet Union at Lake Placid. Hellebuyck's performance ensured this generation would have its own miracle moment, albeit with a team of NHL stars rather than amateurs.
The Players Who Sat Out: Understanding the Absences
While most of the U.S. men's hockey team attended the White House visit and State of the Union address, five notable absences highlighted the political complexities surrounding the event. Jake Guentzel, the Tampa Bay Lightning forward who scored the game-winning goal in the semifinals, was among those who declined the invitation.
According to reports, Guentzel opted to remain in Tampa to focus on his return to the Lightning lineup rather than attend the political event. Other absent players included Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor, New York Islanders center Brock Nelson, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe, and Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.
The U.S. women's hockey team, which also won gold by defeating Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, declined Trump's invitation to attend the State of the Union as well, citing scheduling conflicts. However, Trump indicated during his address that the women's team would "soon be coming to the White House."
These absences come amid broader controversy surrounding the team's post-victory celebration. A locker room FaceTime call with Trump shortly after the gold medal win drew criticism after players laughed when Trump joked about not inviting the women's team. The moment sparked online debate about whether the team was being drawn into political culture wars.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on the Medal Ceremony and Fallout
As of Wednesday morning, no specific date has been set for Hellebuyck's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, though White House officials indicate it will likely occur within the next few weeks. The honor places Hellebuyck in rare company among athletes who have received the nation's highest civilian award.
The list of athlete recipients includes legends like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, and Simone Biles. Hockey players have been notably scarce among Medal of Freedom honorees, making Hellebuyck's selection particularly significant for the sport.
The team's appearance at the State of the Union has generated mixed reactions across the sports world. Some have praised the recognition of their athletic achievement, while others have questioned whether athletes should participate in such overtly political events. The Guardian noted that the team's presence "showed proximity to Trump is never neutral," highlighting how even celebratory moments can become politically charged.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the locker room call with Trump continues to generate discussion. Some have defended the players' right to celebrate with whomever they choose, while others have criticized what they see as the politicization of a sporting achievement.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Hellebuyck and Team USA
Connor Hellebuyck will return to the Winnipeg Jets with not only an Olympic gold medal but also the promise of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The ceremony will likely occur during the NHL season, potentially requiring special arrangements for Hellebuyck to travel to Washington.
For the broader U.S. hockey program, the gold medal victory and subsequent honors represent a potential turning point. After decades of disappointment in international competition, this victory could inspire a new generation of American hockey players. USA Hockey executives have already announced plans to build on the success with enhanced development programs.
The political implications of the team's White House visit will likely continue to be debated, particularly as the 2026 election cycle approaches. Several players have been careful to avoid explicit political endorsements, focusing instead on their athletic achievement. However, their appearance at the State of the Union ensures they will remain part of the national conversation about sports and politics.
For Hellebuyck personally, the Presidential Medal of Freedom represents the culmination of a career that has seen him evolve from a fourth-round draft pick to an Olympic hero and now a recipient of the nation's highest civilian honor. His performance in Milan will be remembered alongside the greatest moments in American hockey history, and his medal will serve as a permanent symbol of that achievement.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
- President Trump announced during the State of the Union that U.S. men's hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the gold medal game against Canada, including a miraculous stick save that preserved the tie.
- The victory ended a 46-year gold medal drought for U.S. men's hockey, dating back to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice."
- Five players, including Jake Guentzel, declined invitations to the White House visit and State of the Union address.
- The U.S. women's hockey team also declined Trump's invitation to the State of the Union, citing scheduling conflicts.
- The team's locker room call with Trump sparked controversy after players laughed at a joke about the women's team.
- Hellebuyck will join a select group of athletes who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali.
The intersection of sports glory and presidential honor has created a moment that will be remembered in both hockey and political history. As Connor Hellebuyck prepares to add the Presidential Medal of Freedom to his Olympic gold, he represents not only individual excellence but also the enduring power of sports to capture the national imagination—even when that imagination becomes politically divided.
