State of the Union invitation puts US men’s hockey team at center of schedule and political spotlight.
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| Players of Team United States celebrate their 2-1 overtime win against Canada to capture the gold medal during the men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images |
President Donald Trump invites US men’s hockey team to the State of the Union after their dramatic Olympic gold medal victory, transforming a celebratory locker room phone call into a political and logistical crossroads for American NHL players.
Just hours after the United States secured its first men’s Olympic hockey gold medal in 46 years with a win over Canada, President Donald Trump personally congratulated the team and extended a high-profile invitation. Speaking via speakerphone during the postgame celebration at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Trump told players he wanted them in Washington, D.C., for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, followed by a White House event the next day.
The spontaneous invitation, captured in videos later shared on X, added another layer of significance to a victory already etched into American hockey history. What began as an emotional celebration of athletic achievement quickly evolved into a potential clash between civic ceremony and professional obligation.
Inside the jubilant locker room, the mood was euphoric. Helmets were off, gloves scattered, and chants echoed off the walls as players celebrated their third Olympic men’s hockey gold medal. Then came the call.
With FBI director Kash Patel holding a phone that displayed the initials “DT,” Trump addressed the team directly. He praised their performance as an “unbelievable game,” singling out goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for his standout display between the pipes.
“Your goalie played not bad,” Trump quipped, prompting cheers from teammates.
When Trump mentioned Hellebuyck by name, the locker room erupted. The Winnipeg Jets netminder responded casually over the speakerphone, asking, “How you doing, Don?” The exchange reflected the mix of disbelief and adrenaline coursing through the room.
Trump told the team he would send a military plane to transport them to Washington in time for the State of the Union. Originally scheduled to fly from Milan to New York, the team had already adjusted plans due to a winter storm in the northeastern United States, rerouting to Miami. The president suggested picking them up there Tuesday morning.
“We’re in,” one player shouted in response.
The State of the Union invitation was framed not just as an honor, but as a celebration of national pride. Trump promised medals at the White House and emphasized the long-term significance of their triumph.
“You’re going to be proud of that game for 50 years as you grow older,” he told them.
Trump’s remarks also included a nod to the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team, joking that he would “probably be impeached” if he failed to invite them as well. The comment, delivered in a light tone, underscored how intertwined sports celebration and political optics have become.
Presidential invitations to championship teams are longstanding traditions in American public life. Yet in the modern era, they often carry political undertones. Athletes must weigh not only their professional schedules but also personal beliefs and public perception.
This time, the logistical hurdle may be as significant as any political consideration.
The NHL regular season resumes immediately after the Olympic break. Eight games are scheduled for Wednesday, involving 12 players from the United States’ 25-man Olympic roster. That includes Hellebuyck, whose Winnipeg Jets are set to play in Vancouver, and overtime hero Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, who are scheduled to host the Buffalo Sabres.
By Thursday, the schedule intensifies further, with 12 NHL games involving 16 members of the Olympic roster. The New York Rangers, coached by U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan and assistant coach David Quinn, are among the teams returning to action. The Minnesota Wild, coached by USA assistant John Hynes, also resume play that night.
The compressed timeline places players in a difficult position. Accepting the State of the Union invitation could mean missing critical regular-season games, potentially affecting playoff positioning.
Bill Guerin, the U.S. team’s general manager and also general manager of the Minnesota Wild, indicated he would support Wild players Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber attending if they chose to do so. However, he acknowledged that decisions would ultimately rest with individual NHL clubs.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that participation would be determined on a case-by-case basis. Players can choose whether to accept the invitation, but final approval lies with their respective teams.
The situation illustrates the complexity of modern professional sports. Olympic glory brings prestige, but NHL contracts and competitive commitments remain paramount. Coaches, general managers, and league officials must balance respect for national achievement with the realities of an 82-game season.
For Trump, the message was clear. “If you can work it out, I would be honored to have you,” he told the team.
Kash Patel’s role in the locker room celebration has also generated scrutiny. The FBI director attended the semifinal win over Slovakia and was present during the gold medal festivities in Milan. Reports indicate he used a U.S. government or Justice Department jet for travel to the Olympics.
Videos circulating online show Patel celebrating enthusiastically with players after the victory. Critics have questioned the optics of such travel and participation, given the demands of his federal responsibilities.
Nonetheless, in the locker room, Patel’s tone matched the celebratory atmosphere. “You boys are going to the State of the Union!” he exclaimed after Trump extended the invitation.
The moment encapsulated the merging of politics, patriotism, and sport in real time.
The possibility of NHL players missing games due to post-Olympic celebrations is not unprecedented. When Sweden captured gold at the 2006 Turin Olympics, its players faced a similar dilemma.
Mats Sundin later wrote about the team’s decision to detour to Stockholm for a national celebration before returning to North America. Despite tight schedules and impending NHL games, the Swedish players chose to honor their country’s triumph with fans at home.
Swedish fighter jets escorted their charter into national airspace. Fire trucks lined the runway at Arlanda Airport. Tens of thousands gathered in Medborgarplatsen in central Stockholm to greet the returning champions.
Some players, including Sundin, managed to rejoin their NHL teams in time. Others missed games, prioritizing national celebration over immediate club duties.
The parallel highlights how Olympic victories transcend routine professional commitments. Gold medals represent generational achievements. For American players, ending a 46-year drought carries profound symbolic weight.
A victory decades in the making
The United States’ triumph over Canada ended nearly half a century without men’s Olympic hockey gold. The last such achievement came in 1980, during the “Miracle on Ice” at Lake Placid. While the roster and context are entirely different, the emotional resonance remains powerful.
For younger players, the gold medal may represent a defining career moment. For veterans, it cements legacies. For the sport in America, it may spark renewed grassroots enthusiasm.
Trump’s State of the Union invitation amplifies that narrative. By placing the team at the center of a major national address, the administration signals that the victory transcends sport.
The question now is practical rather than symbolic: who will attend?
When Trump invites US men’s hockey team to the State of the Union, it underscores how athletic success often intersects with political theater. The event would offer a rare platform for hockey players before a joint session of Congress and a national television audience.
For some players, participation may feel like a once-in-a-lifetime honor. For others, the timing could complicate professional priorities. NHL teams chasing playoff positions may be reluctant to forgo key contributors, even for a ceremonial occasion.
Yet history suggests that Olympic champions frequently seize the opportunity to celebrate on a national stage.
As Trump reiterated during the call, he particularly wants to shake hands with the goaltender whose performance anchored the championship run. The personal tone of the invitation reflects the celebratory spirit of the moment.
Whether every roster member attends or only a portion can make the journey, the invitation itself marks a memorable epilogue to an unforgettable tournament.
In the span of 24 hours, the United States men’s hockey team moved from Olympic ice in Milan to the possibility of standing beneath the Capitol dome in Washington. The gold medal secured their place in sporting history. The State of the Union invitation ensures their story will also become part of a broader national conversation.
For now, players, teams, and league officials must navigate the delicate balance between civic recognition and professional commitment. What remains certain is that when Trump invites US men’s hockey team to the State of the Union, the gesture reflects the enduring power of sport to command attention far beyond the rink.
