Trump’s State of the Union Address: U.S. Men’s Hockey Team Arrives at Event

NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!

Players from the U.S. men’s hockey team arrived at the House of Representatives Tuesday evening for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.

Trump introduced the team and they received a round of applause from those in attendance.

The players wore American sweaters with their gold medals around their necks.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club

Members of the United States men’s Olympic hockey team attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol Chamber in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The room erupted to the rhythm of “USA” chants.

“They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everyone saw, just like the Americans who will soon arrive at the White House,” he said.

During his speech, Trump said he would honor goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Some players were unable to attend as NHL commitments were about to resume. But others were in Washington to visit the president at the White House before the event began. The players traveled to Washington DC from Miami after celebrating their gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

Several gold medalists took photos with Trump. Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk even let the president wear his gold medal in a moment of levity in the Oval Office.

Connor Hellebuyck on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, after President Donald Trump announced he would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

“I won’t give it back,” the president joked.

Trump invited the team to the State of the Union address Sunday night as they celebrated in the locker room following their 2-1 victory over Canada. FBI Director Kash Patel put Trump on speakerphone.

“I’ll tell you what. I just told my staff two minutes ago that I didn’t know they were going to call. I said we’d be giving the State of the Union address Tuesday night,” Trump said. “I can send a military plane or something, but if you want, it’s the coolest night, it’s the biggest speech.”

A player cut Trump off and said, “Here we are. »

“We will have Kash and we will ask the military to help you,” Trump continued. “You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard. We’ll sail just like you did on the ice.”