In a dramatic conclusion to the Olympic men's hockey tournament, the United States secured their third gold medal in the sport's history with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday in Milan. The winning goal was scored by Jack Hughes, who delivered the decisive strike after losing teeth earlier in the contest, cementing his status as a national hero.
Presidential Praise and Invitation
Shortly after the final horn sounded at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, President Donald Trump connected with the triumphant team via a FaceTime Audio speakerphone call. The locker-room celebration was captured on video and shared by the official White House rapid response account, showcasing the president's enthusiastic reaction.
"Unbelievable. You were all unbelievable. That team is pretty good you played," Trump told the athletes, praising what he described as an extraordinary performance that would be remembered for decades. The president extended a formal invitation to the players, asking them to attend Tuesday night's State of the Union address at the US Capitol as honored guests.
Logistical Promises and Celebrations
Trump assured the team that transportation would not be an issue, promising to arrange a military plane regardless of weather conditions. "The nice thing about being president is I can tell you, you don't have to worry about the weather or landing," he declared. The president also mentioned plans for a White House celebration the following day, complete with medals for the champions.
During the call, Trump referenced the US women's hockey team, who had captured their own gold medal with an overtime win over Canada just days earlier. "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team," he stated, humorously adding that he might face impeachment if the women's champions were not included in the celebrations.
Team Reactions and Considerations
US captain Auston Matthews acknowledged the presidential invitation but noted logistical challenges. "We're all proud Americans, obviously, and this is a huge moment for us," Matthews said. "He called and just congratulated us. I think there's a lot of moving parts as far as our travels back home, but we'll kind of see what happens."
Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed the call took place immediately after the game, expressing how meaningful it was for the team. "The players just had the president on – I don't know what it was, what do you call it? FaceTime? Whatever – in the locker room," Sullivan explained. "So he just spoke to the group, expressing how proud he was of the group and congratulating everybody on the win."
Key Performances and Historical Context
The victory marked the United States' first Olympic men's hockey gold since the legendary "Miracle on Ice" team of 1980. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck delivered a masterclass performance, stopping 41 of 42 shots with a series of acrobatic saves that kept American hopes alive throughout the contest. Trump specifically praised Hellebuyck during the call, saying, "I'm going to shake hands with everybody, but I've got to shake hands with that goalie."
The president emphasized the game's widespread viewership, claiming, "I don't know of one person that wasn't [watching]. Everybody that called me said, 'I'm watching the hockey game.' You're going to be proud of that game for 50 years as you grow older."
FBI Director's Involvement and Controversy
The presidential call was coordinated in part by FBI director Kash Patel, who had arrived in Milan earlier in the week and joined the locker-room celebration following the victory. Videos circulated on social media showing Patel participating enthusiastically in the festivities, drinking beer and celebrating with players as they sang patriotic songs.
Patel's presence drew criticism from some former officials, particularly given security concerns elsewhere. Xochitl Hinojosa, a spokesperson for former attorney general Merrick Garland, questioned the director's priorities on social media, noting ongoing threats at Mar-a-Lago and other security issues.
Political Undertones and Broader Context
The call revived political themes that have surrounded recent US-Canada hockey matchups. Trump had addressed many of the same players before last year's 4 Nations Face-Off championship game during a period of heightened tensions between the two nations. Other Trump allies were also present for Sunday's game, including Kelly Loeffler, the Small Business Administration chief and former Georgia senator, who attended as part of the US presidential delegation.
Immediately after the victory, Trump posted a congratulatory message on his Truth Social account, while the White House's official social media account shared a pointed response to previous Canadian celebrations of hockey supremacy.
Uncertain Attendance and Future Celebrations
As of Monday morning, press officers for both the US men's and women's hockey teams had not responded to inquiries about whether either group would attend the State of the Union address or visit the White House. The quick turnaround before the NHL season resumes on Wednesday presents significant logistical challenges for the Olympic champions.
Regardless of their ability to accept the presidential invitation, the US men's hockey team has secured their place in Olympic history with a dramatic victory that captured the nation's attention and earned recognition from the highest levels of government.
