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President Donald Trump announced during the State of the Union address that Team USA men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom after securing the team’s gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
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U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S., February 24, 2026. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
In the gold medal game victory over Canada, Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help keep the tie at 1–1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes finally scored the winning goal of Canada 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.
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. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth He even gave his former title of Secretary of Defense to Hellebuyck for his performance.
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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)
Hellebuyck helped the United States make history by becoming the first team since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team to win Olympic gold. Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal to clinch gold in Milan, and it’s been a celebration for Team USA ever since.
