Fresh off their exhilarating gold medal victories at the Milan Olympics, the USA men's and women's hockey teams found themselves in the spotlight once again. This time, it was the State of the Union address that beckoned, with President Donald Trump extending invitations to both teams. However, it wasn't without its share of controversy, particularly surrounding the women's team, whose decision to decline the invitation followed some viral comments from the President.
While the women's team cited “academic and professional commitments” for their absence, the men's team showed up in strong numbers, with 20 out of 25 players attending the event. Notable absentees included Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Jackson LaCombe, Brock Nelson, and Jake Oettinger. Each had their reasons, primarily centered around their commitments to their NHL teams.
Kyle Connor, for instance, returned to the Winnipeg Jets after a brief Olympic stint, focusing on the crucial second half of the NHL season. "I’m just getting ready.
We play on Wednesday. It’s a big second half so I just wanted to make sure I was ready," Connor shared with The Athletic.
Brock Nelson, who made a memorable impact by scoring twice in his Olympic debut, chose family time over the trip to Washington, as reported by the Denver Post. Nelson is set to suit up for the Colorado Avalanche in their upcoming game in Utah.
The absence of these players didn't dampen the spirits of those attending, including team captain Auston Matthews. Matthews is gearing up for a face-off with the Toronto Maple Leafs against Jake Guentzel's Tampa Bay Lightning, demonstrating the quick turnaround from Olympic glory back to NHL action.
Adding a touch of drama, President Trump reached out to the men's team via FBI Director Kash Patel, humorously suggesting that not inviting the women's team might lead to impeachment. The comment sparked laughter among the players and a flurry of reactions on social media.
Despite the whirlwind of events and commitments, the presence of the USA hockey players at the State of the Union served as a proud reminder of their recent Olympic triumphs.