US men's hockey team honored at State of the Union
Members of the US Men's Olympic hockey team are recognized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS
The U.S. men's hockey team was honored Tuesday night during President Trump’s State of the Union address for their historic win, defeating Canada 2–1 in overtime and capturing its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since the "Miracle on Ice" team triumphed in 1980.
The players entered the upper part of the chamber to a huge applause and chants of USA-USA-USA.
Team USA hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will get Presidential Medal of Freedom
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck raises his gold medal as members of the US Men's Olympic hockey team are recognized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Febru
During his remarks, President Trump announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom after anchoring the team's gold medal victory.
During the gold medal victory over Canada, Hellebuyck collected 41 saves to help keep the game tied at 1-1, forcing overtime.
U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team visits President Trump at the White House
The U.S. men's Olympic hockey team pose for a photo outside the White House on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (The White House via X)
After the team arrived in Washington, D.C., they made their way to the White House and posed for a photo outside before making their way inside to meet with President Trump in the Oval Office.
President Trump welcomed the men's hockey team to the Oval Office. (The White House via X)
As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press office’s open door to flash their gold medals. Staffers applauded and shouted, "We love you!"
"I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you," Trump said as the players entered the Oval Office. "Big guys," he said, standing near his desk and shaking hands with the players, who wore dark tops with "USA," the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light-colored pants.
The U.S. Men's Hockey Team pose for a group photo after the medal ceremony at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
US men’s hockey team roster of NHL players
The US men’s hockey team was made up of players from the National Hockey League (NHL), with the Milan-Cortina Games allowing professional NHL players to compete in the Winter Olympics for the first time since the 2014 Sochi, Russia Winter Olympics.
Team USA men’s hockey 2026 Winter Olympics roster
- Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
- Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
- Jack Eichel, Las Vegas Golden Knights
- Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
- Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Noah Hanifin, Las Vegas Golden Knights
- Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
- Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
- Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild
- Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
- Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks
- Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
- Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
- J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
- Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
- Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
- Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
- Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
- Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
- Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
- Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
- Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
- Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
- Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
US women's hockey team declines invitation to State of the Union, Trump says they will visit White House
President Trump also invited the U.S. women's Olympic hockey team, who also won gold defeating Canada in a stunning 2-1 in a thrilling overtime victory. USA Hockey told NBC News, "Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
During his remarks, President Trump announced that the women’s team "will soon be coming to the White House."
The Source: Information in this article was sourced from FOX News, The Associated Press, and The White House. This story was reported from Orlando.