Trump invites gold-winning US men’s Olympic hockey team to State of the Union address, gushes over goalie Connor Hellebuyck in postgame phone call

President Trump made a special invitation to the US men’s Olympic hockey team to attend his State of the Union address following their thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against Canada in the gold medal game. The president, filled with excitement, personally called the players in the Team USA locker room, facilitated by FBI Director Kash Patel, to extend the invitation.

During the call, Trump expressed his eagerness to have the team present at the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. He even offered to arrange for their transportation, suggesting they could be picked up in Miami on Tuesday morning. The president promised to have the military assist in getting the players to the event and mentioned the possibility of a White House visit the following day to celebrate their victory.

The US women’s hockey team, who also secured a gold medal with a 2-1 overtime win against Canada, was not left out of the invitation. Trump humorously stated that he would likely be impeached if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their achievement.

During the call, Trump praised the team for their exceptional performance, particularly highlighting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s impressive performance in the game. The players, excited and grateful for the recognition, expressed their joy at the opportunity to attend the State of the Union address.

As the conversation wrapped up, Patel assured the president that he would ensure the team’s presence at the event. However, it remained uncertain how many players would be able to attend due to their travel schedules and the upcoming NHL games resuming after the Winter Games break.

The victory marked a significant moment for the American men’s hockey team, as it was their first gold medal win since the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at Lake Placid. It also signified the first time the US had won an Olympic tournament outside their home nation since the 1960 team’s gold medal win at Squaw Valley, California.

Overall, the invitation and recognition from President Trump added to the team’s celebration and highlighted their remarkable achievement in the Olympic games.