President Donald Trump announced during his State of the Union address on Tuesday (February 24) that he will award U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor — following Team USA’s gold medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
Trump made the announcement during his State of the Union address to Congress, where 20 of the 25 players on the U.S. men’s hockey team were in attendance.
“I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years,” Trump said during the address. “But when I say many, not too many, like 12, it’s called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots as the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim their first gold medal in men’s hockey since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” team won in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980.
President Trump specifically praised a remarkable save Hellebuyck made on a shot by Jonathan Toews in the third period, which kept the game tied and preserved Team USA’s hopes for gold. Trump even joked that he asked Hellebuyck whether he had practiced the move — but didn’t get a straight answer.
Five players on the men’s team did not attend the State of the Union or the White House visit Tuesday (February 24), as the NHL regular season resumes Wednesday (February 25). The U.S. women’s hockey team, which also won a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games, did not attend the State of the Union due to scheduling conflicts, but President Trump confirmed they will visit the White House soon.
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