The United States men's ice hockey team was welcomed by "U-S-A" chants as they were introduced by President Donald Trump at his 2026 State of the Union address on Feb. 24.
He congratulated the men's team, as well as the women's team, for capturing the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan.
Among his remarks, Trump said he will present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, to U.S. men's national team goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
"I've never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck," Trump said. "(42) shots on gold. And I asked him the one shot, the one where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off. You practiced that? Or was that a little lucky? He refused to answer that question."
The majority of the men's team roster was in attendance at Trump's address.
