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After watching Team USA defeat Canada in the men’s hockey gold medal game at the Olympics, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded his former title to American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help keep the tie at 1-1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes finally scored the winning goal past Canadian goalkeeper Jordan Binnington.
One of Hellebuyck’s saves saw him somehow stop a wide-open shot from Devon Toews in front of his crease with just his stick, spinning quickly with his right hand to stop the puck and keep the tie going in the second period. Without this save, and many others, the outcome could have been different.
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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the IRS news highlights “what we are doing to rebuild our military.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
One social media account dubbed Hellebuyck the “Secretary of Defense,” and Hegseth, who held that title before the agency he leads became known as the War Department last September, approved the designation.
“Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense!” Hegseth said in the post showing Hellebuyck’s incredible efforts.
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK’S MIRACLE STICK SAVE HELPED TEAM USA CAPTURE FIRST HOCKEY GOLD SINCE 1980 AT THE OLYMPICS
Hegseth was one of several Americans to show pride as the United States beat Canada, which was unable to capitalize on some prime chances against Hellebuyck, including alternate captain Nathan MacKinnon missing a wide-open net in the third period.
For the save on Toews, the Canadian star of the Colorado Avalanche lifted the puck a little so that Hellebuyck’s paddle got in the way for the save. At the time, the score was 1-1, and it held until the end of the second period and throughout the third before overtime was necessary.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves the shot taken by Devon Toews, number 7, of Team Canada in the third period during the men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said via NBC after the game. “We worked hard, we fought, and it was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”
Hellebuyck, 32, gave up a goal to Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but he made save after save after the tying score to give his team a chance at glory.
After the game, Hellebuyck skated alone on the ice with an American flag on his back, while the crowd roared its approval.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the men’s ice hockey gold medal match between Canada and the United States on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images)
The men’s and women’s hockey teams win gold at what was a historic Milan Cortina Games for the United States.
The United States finished with 33 medals overall, including a record 12 gold medals at the Winter Olympics.
