Donald Trump Praises US Men's Hockey Team During State of the Union, Announces Medal of Freedom for Connor Hellebuyck

The Team USA’s men’s hockey team received roaring cheers and applause during Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening (February 24) in Washington, DC.

Members of the gold-winning team first met with the President earlier that day in the Oval Office, before making an appearance during the address later that night.

While 20 members of the team made the trip to the White House, including siblings Jack and Quinn Hughes, goalie Connor Hellebuyck and more, there were five guys who did not go.

Keep reading to find out more…

Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Oettinger, Jake Guentzel and Kyle Connor all skipped the DC visit on Tuesday.

According to People, local reporters noted that Brock skipped the trip to go back home to his family, and Guentzel went back to Tampa to prep for a game the next day. The other players also returned home to prep for their team games.

Towards the beginning of his State of the Union address, Trump welcomed the Team USA men’s hockey team, congratulated them once again and even revealed one team member will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom!

“Here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud. The men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team,” Trump said as “USA!” chants began and the team filed in to the room above him.

“They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime as everybody saw,” he continued after the cheers and chants died down. “As did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House.”

Trump‘s claim that the women’s hockey team will visit the White House comes after they previously turned down an invitation due to prior commitments. Since then, Flavor Flav has invited the women to celebrate their win with him in Las Vegas.

“They were in the Oval Office before, and I just want to say a second, very big congratulations to Team USA, but I have to say that… And I told them this and we took a vote of the team. I said, ‘Anybody that votes no, I’m not doing it,’” Trump continued during the SOTU address. “So they stood there and they worried about saying no, ’cause I never seen a goaltender play as well as Connor Hellebuyck.”

“I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote, and in this case, my vote was more important,” he went on. “That I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which we will be giving, and which has been given to many athletes over the years… It’s called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

Earlier in the week, Trump‘s invite to the men’s hockey team drew much backlash online as he referenced the women’s team, and how he “would be impeached” if he didn’t also invite them.

Browse through the gallery for more photos of the Team USA men’s hockey team at the State of the Union address…