By — Darlene Superville, Associated Press Darlene Superville, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/u-s-mens-hockey-team-receives-standing-ovation-during-state-of-the-union-address Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter U.S. men's hockey team receives standing ovation during State of the Union address Politics Feb 24, 2026 11:23 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team visited President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and later received about a two-minute bipartisan standing ovation during his State of the Union address that night. Trump also announced that the women's hockey team, which also defeated Canada to win gold, will "soon" visit the White House. The women's team had declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union due to the timing of the address. WATCH: Trump introduces Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team Men's players entered the House chamber through two sets of 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 pumping fists. Rep. Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted "Love you!" to the players. "I want to thank you all," Trump told the players. "What a special job you did. What special champions you are." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump also said goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in the gold medal game, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Hellebuyck tapped his heart as those in the chamber applauded. Videos and photos shared on social media by Trump administration aides showed the hockey players posing for a photograph in front of the South Portico. They walked along the West Wing colonnade where Trump has posted portraits of every U.S. president just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed by Trump. Auston Matthews #34 of Team United States celebrates after the game against Team Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Photo by Geoff Burke-Imagn Images As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press office's open door to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics. It was the Americans' first gold medal in men's hockey since the "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980. Staffers applauded and shouted, "We love you!" "I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you," Trump said as the players entered the Oval Office, which he has redecorated with numerous flourishes of gold that matched the players' medals. "Big guys," he said, standing near his desk and shaking hands with the players, who wore dark tops with "USA," the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light-colored pants. After their victory, a video that circulated on social media appeared to show Trump inviting the team on a phone call in the locker room, as he joked that he'd also have to invite the women's team. After the president announced the women soon would receive a White House visit, the men's players made thumbs-up gestures while watching from up high. For forward Matthew Tkachuk, the trip to the White House was becoming a regular visit. "Good to see you again," Tkachuk told Trump, as the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion made his third White House trip in just over 12 months. For some of the approximately 20 players who made the trip, this was a first. READ MORE: U.S. women's gold medal-winning hockey team declines invitation from Trump to attend State of Union address Tkachuk, who won those Cups with the Florida Panthers, posted pictures on social media of members of the team celebrating on what appears to be a U.S. government plane and a group shot of them deplaning at Joint Base Andrews. The team chartered into Miami on a flight from Italy on Monday, and then dined together in Miami Beach and visited a nightclub where hundreds of fans clamored to get inside. They were also given a heroes' welcome at Miami International Airport. "Our sport just got the biggest stage in the world of sport," Panthers general manager Bill Zito, an assistant GM for the Olympic team, said Tuesday. "That's wonderful. And we need to celebrate it." AP White House reporter Seung Min Kim and AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. Find more of our coverage READ MORE: How to watch Trump's 2026 State of the Union LIVE UPDATES: Trump's 2026 State of the Union address READ MORE: Live fact-checking Trump's 2026 State of the Union address POLL: Checks and balances aren't working under Trump, growing majority says READ MORE: Trump says he's kept all of his campaign promises. PolitiFact's MAGA-Meter shows otherwise A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Darlene Superville, Associated Press Darlene Superville, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team visited President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and later received about a two-minute bipartisan standing ovation during his State of the Union address that night. Trump also announced that the women's hockey team, which also defeated Canada to win gold, will "soon" visit the White House. The women's team had declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union due to the timing of the address. WATCH: Trump introduces Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team Men's players entered the House chamber through two sets of 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 pumping fists. Rep. Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted "Love you!" to the players. "I want to thank you all," Trump told the players. "What a special job you did. What special champions you are." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump also said goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in the gold medal game, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Hellebuyck tapped his heart as those in the chamber applauded. Videos and photos shared on social media by Trump administration aides showed the hockey players posing for a photograph in front of the South Portico. They walked along the West Wing colonnade where Trump has posted portraits of every U.S. president just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed by Trump. Auston Matthews #34 of Team United States celebrates after the game against Team Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Photo by Geoff Burke-Imagn Images As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press office's open door to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics. It was the Americans' first gold medal in men's hockey since the "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980. Staffers applauded and shouted, "We love you!" "I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you," Trump said as the players entered the Oval Office, which he has redecorated with numerous flourishes of gold that matched the players' medals. "Big guys," he said, standing near his desk and shaking hands with the players, who wore dark tops with "USA," the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light-colored pants. After their victory, a video that circulated on social media appeared to show Trump inviting the team on a phone call in the locker room, as he joked that he'd also have to invite the women's team. After the president announced the women soon would receive a White House visit, the men's players made thumbs-up gestures while watching from up high. For forward Matthew Tkachuk, the trip to the White House was becoming a regular visit. "Good to see you again," Tkachuk told Trump, as the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion made his third White House trip in just over 12 months. For some of the approximately 20 players who made the trip, this was a first. READ MORE: U.S. women's gold medal-winning hockey team declines invitation from Trump to attend State of Union address Tkachuk, who won those Cups with the Florida Panthers, posted pictures on social media of members of the team celebrating on what appears to be a U.S. government plane and a group shot of them deplaning at Joint Base Andrews. The team chartered into Miami on a flight from Italy on Monday, and then dined together in Miami Beach and visited a nightclub where hundreds of fans clamored to get inside. They were also given a heroes' welcome at Miami International Airport. "Our sport just got the biggest stage in the world of sport," Panthers general manager Bill Zito, an assistant GM for the Olympic team, said Tuesday. "That's wonderful. And we need to celebrate it." AP White House reporter Seung Min Kim and AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. Find more of our coverage READ MORE: How to watch Trump's 2026 State of the Union LIVE UPDATES: Trump's 2026 State of the Union address READ MORE: Live fact-checking Trump's 2026 State of the Union address POLL: Checks and balances aren't working under Trump, growing majority says READ MORE: Trump says he's kept all of his campaign promises. PolitiFact's MAGA-Meter shows otherwise A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now