Team USA hockey goalie awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Trump on Tuesday awarded Team USA hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
The American team won the Olympic gold medal for the first time in 46 years on Sunday, on the anniversary of the team’s legendary victory over the USSR, known as the “Miracle on Ice.” They won the match against Canada 2-1 in overtime, and Hellebuyck’s performance was highly praised throughout the tournament. He received credit for the second assist on the tournament-winning goal.
“I just want to say…huge congratulations to Team USA,” Trump said in the opening moments of his speech, adding that he asked team members to vote on awarding Hellebuyck a medal. “I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey team will be very happy to hear that, based on their vote and my vote – and in this case my vote was more important – I will soon present Connor with our highest civilian honor.”
Hellebuyck, 32, plays for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was previously awarded to politicians, religious leaders, artists, fashion designers and others who have made significant contributions to American society. Previous athletes to receive this honor include soccer legend Lionel Messi, former Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson and Olympians Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe.
The men’s team visited the White House earlier Tuesday and several members attended the State of the Union address.
The team became a source of controversy for the administration after FBI Director Kash Patel was seen drinking beer in the locker room after his victory amid multiple law enforcement emergencies, including Americans trapped in Mexico following the killing of Mexico’s most powerful cartel leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes.
In the video posted on social media, Patel appears to be holding a phone in the locker room as Trump invites the team to the White House and says he must also invite the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team or he will be “dismissed.”
In his State of the Union address, the president claimed his cadre of women would visit the White House “very soon.” The team previously announced this week that it had turned down the White House’s invitation.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievements,” the team said in a statement. “Due to scheduling and previously planned academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They are honored to be included and grateful for the thank you.”
Rapper Flavor Flav, the Olympic boss, invited them to party with him and other Olympians in Las Vegas.
