The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team made headlines this week following their visit to the White House on Tuesday, February 24, after securing a gold medal victory against Canada with a 2–1 win. President Donald Trump extended the invitation shortly after the team’s championship success, inviting them to attend his State of the Union address as honored guests. A video shared on social media showed the president congratulating the players during a post-game locker room call and encouraging them to attend the event in Washington, D.C. The clip quickly gained widespread attention online, drawing a mix of reactions from viewers.
During the call, the president also mentioned the women’s Olympic hockey team, which won gold this year as well and has consistently medaled since the sport was introduced to the Winter Games. His remarks about inviting both teams prompted discussion across social media platforms, with some users expressing differing opinions about the tone of the exchange. In response to the invitation, a spokesperson for the women’s team later shared that scheduling conflicts and prior academic and professional commitments would prevent them from attending the White House event.
As the men’s team traveled to Washington for the State of the Union address, observers noted that not all members were present. According to multiple reports, five of the 25 players — Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger, and Kyle Connor — did not attend the event. While speculation circulated online regarding possible reasons for their absence, no official statement suggested any political motivation behind their decisions. Public conversations highlighted that four of the players have ties to Minnesota, while Connor currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets in Canada.
Kyle Connor addressed his decision directly, explaining that his focus remained on the ongoing NHL season. With games scheduled shortly after the White House visit, he shared that preparing for the second half of the season was his priority. Several of the other absent players are also set to compete in upcoming matches. Despite the mixed reactions surrounding the invitation and attendance, the team’s gold medal achievement remains a defining moment, marking another successful chapter in U.S. Olympic hockey history.