On Sunday, after the United States men’s hockey team won their gold medal game against Team Canada, President Donald Trump invited the team to his Tuesday’s State of the Union Address, followed by an official ceremony honoring them at the White House on Wednesday. He added that the US women’s hockey team, which also won gold last Thursday were also invited to the capital.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the women’s team revealed that the team will not be flying to attend the State of the Union Address.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” the statement read. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment,” the spokesperson added.
The men’s team accepted the invitation considering that all of them are part of NHL teams. The league resumes on Wednesday and on special request these players can earn a personal leave from their professional teams. They also arrived earlier in the United States on Monday via a charter flight. They landed in Miami after initially scheduled to land in New York but had to change course due to the blizzard.
However, the women’s team had to take commercial filghts out of Italy and landed in Atlanta late on Monday. The logisitics of travel will be too much to bear for the women’s team that is a mix of college and PWHL players. The PWHL resumes on Thursday.
Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, who has been a staunch critic of the Trump administration, took to X to appreciate the women’s team for refusing to be a part of the SOTU Address.
“Much respect to these women,” Hasek wrote. “Yes, your president is a big liar and a fraud who abuses his position to insult and bully his fellow citizens. Still, I believe you must have shown a great deal of heroism in making this decision. Thank you for that.”
Hasek has never held back from opposing Trump or its administration’s actions. The former Sabres and Czech legend has described the current administration as “dictatorship, evil and endless lies.” He has also called out the President for his fondness of Russian in the midst of the Russo-Ukraine War.
What did Donald Trump say about the women’s hockey team?
During his FaceTime with the men’s hockey team via FBI Director Kash Patel, who was present in their locker room, Donald Trump was heard saying that he would be removed if he didn’t extend the invitation to the women’s team as well.
“If you would like, then we’ll do it at the White House. What would really be cool—and we’ll do the White House the next day—we’ll just have some fun,” Trump added. “We have medals for you guys. And I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I think if we don’t do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
The Associated Press quoted a source close to the women’s team claiming that they weren’t aware of an invitation until Sunday evening after their men’s counterparts had finished their game and spoke over with the President.
Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy
