Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Goalie Connor Hellebuyck will get the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role in leading the U.S. hockey team to gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, President Donald Trump announced.
Trump announced the honor during his 1-hour, 48-minute State of the Union speech Tuesday in Washington, D.C. He said he polled the team to decide on whom should receive the award.
"They weren't about to say no because I've never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck," Trump said in front of Hellebuyck and his teammates, who were in attendance for the speech.
The Winnipeg Jets net minder made 41 saves in Team USA's 2-1 gold medal game victory over Canada on Sunday in Milan, Italy. Hellebuyck, who logged an Olympic-best 95.62% save percentage, was chosen as the best goaltender of the tournament.
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