Trump honored Winnipeg Jets goalie with Presidential Medal of Freedom during State of the Union address
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The U.S. men’s gold medal-winning hockey team visited U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and later received a two-minute standing ovation during his state of the nation address that evening.
Trump also announced that the women’s hockey team – which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold – will “soon” visit the White House. The women’s delegation declined an invitation to attend the state of the union due to the timing of the speech.
Members of the men’s delegation entered the chamber of the House through two doors and walked down the rows of the press gallery. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle not only stood and cheered but chanted “USA!” several times, many even pumped their fists.
Rep. Lisa McClain, Chairwoman of the Republican House Conference, shouted “I love you!” to the players.
“I want to thank all of you,” Trump told the players. “What a special job you have done. What special champions you are.”
Trump also said that goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in the gold medal game, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest award in the country. Hellebuyck, who plays for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, touched his heart as those in the room cheered.
Videos and photos of the team’s previous visit to the White House shared on social media by Trump administration aides showed the hockey players posing for a photo in front of the South Portico. They walked to the corner of the West Wing where Trump sent pictures of all the US presidents away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed by Trump.
As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players entered through the open door of the press office to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday in the Milano-Cortina Olympics. It was the first gold medal for the Americans in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” in Lake Placid, NY, in 1980.
The workers clapped and shouted, “We love you!”
“I see you all. I know you all,” said Trump when the players entered the Oval office, which he redecorated with a lot of gold that matches the players’ medals.
“Great guys,” he said as he stood next to his desk shaking hands with players wearing black tops with “USA,” the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light-colored pants.
For forward Matthew Tkachuk, a trip to the White House has become a routine visit.
“It’s nice to see you again,” Tkachuk told Trump, as the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion made his third trip to the White House in a little more than 12 months. For about 20 players who made the trip, this was the first time.
Tkachuk, who won those trophies with the Florida Panthers, posted photos on social media of team members celebrating what appeared to be a US government plane and the team shot down at Joint Base Andrews.
The group arrived in Miami on a flight from Italy on Monday, then dined together in Miami Beach and visited a nightclub where hundreds of fans clamored to get inside. They were also given a hero’s welcome at Miami International Airport.
“Our game just got the biggest stage in the world of sports,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito, the Olympics’ assistant GM, said Tuesday. “That’s great. And we need to celebrate it.”
