Days after winning a dramatic Olympic gold medal, several members of the U.S. men’s hockey team chose not to meet President Donald Trump, declining his invitation to the White House. On Feb. 23, the United States defeated Canada 2–1 in a tense final, securing one of the most celebrated victories of the Winter Games. The historic rivalry between the two hockey powerhouses made the win even more meaningful. Shortly after the game, Trump called the team to congratulate them and invited them to Washington.
In locker-room footage that quickly went viral, he joked about sending a military plane and praised goalie Connor Hellebuyck for his standout performance. However, controversy followed when Trump joked that the women’s team would also need to attend, saying he might be “impeached” otherwise. The comment sparked criticism online, with some calling it inappropriate. The U.S. women’s hockey team, who also won Olympic gold, thanked the White House for the invitation but declined due to prior commitments. Instead, they celebrated with rapper Flavor Flav, who shared the moment on social media.
The focus then returned to the men’s team. During the State of the Union on Feb. 24, most of the 25-player roster attended the White House event. However, five players were absent: Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger, and Kyle Connor. No official reason was given for their absence. While some observers speculated about political motivations, there has been no confirmation from the players.
Kyle Connor later explained he skipped the visit to prepare for upcoming NHL games, as the season resumed the next day. The other absent players were also scheduled to compete, suggesting professional commitments likely influenced their decisions. Teammate Jack Hughes defended the group, saying the team remains proud to represent the United States and supportive of the women’s squad.
Why do you think the five players declined the visit?
