USA Men’s Hockey Team Honored in Oval Office Meeting With Trump

Fresh off their gold medal victory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, 20 of the 25 members of the USA men’s hockey team joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday ahead of his State of the Union address in the evening, which they are also expected to attend.

The team accepted the president’s invitation following their Olympic win in sudden-death overtime against Canada, during the men’s hockey finals on Feb. 23.

During a locker room celebration following the win, Trump congratulated the team on delivering a “moment the country will remember for decades,” before extending an invitation to visit the White House and U.S. Capitol for the State of the Union address.

“We’ll do the White House the next day,” Trump said in the phone call. “We’ll just have some fun.”

“We’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” he said. “[If not] I do believe I probably would be impeached.”

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes made history after scoring the winning goal, securing the 2-1 victory over Canada. The feat marked the first Olympic men’s hockey gold for Team USA in 46 years.

In 1980’s “Miracle on Ice,” the U.S. team achieved a 4–3 upset victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union in the semifinals at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Team USA would later defeat Finland for the gold medal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the president called him on Sunday, requesting changes to the guestlist and saying that Team USA men’s hockey would be in attendance.

“We’re going to work out logistics,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “Somehow, some way, we’ll squeeze in the hockey players tonight, and it’ll be a great moment for America. It really is a symbol to all of us that we all play for America’s team.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s gold medal-winning hockey team, while expressing gratitude, declined Trump’s invitation, citing previously made commitments and inadequate scheduling.

“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 team said in a statement on Feb. 23.

“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.”

Trump will deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress at 9 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on all major U.S. networks, major streaming sites, and the White House website.