US Men's Hockey Champions Visit White House, Several Players Skip Trump Event
The gold-medal-winning US men's Olympic hockey team visited the White House on Tuesday, meeting President Donald Trump in the Oval Office ahead of his State of the Union address. This event marked a celebratory moment for the team, which secured its first men's hockey gold medal since 1980 at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Team Celebrates Victory with Presidential Meeting
Video footage from the Oval Office showed President Trump shaking hands with the champions, while forward Matthew Tkachuk shared pictures on social media depicting the team celebrating aboard a US government plane and deplaning. The visit was part of Trump's invitation to the team following their historic victory over Canada in a 2-1 overtime win.
Notable Absences Among Players
Despite the team's overall presence, several players did not attend the White House event. The absentees included Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Jackson LaCombe, Brock Nelson, and Jake Oettinger. Their reasons for skipping the gathering were not immediately disclosed, adding a layer of intrigue to the otherwise festive occasion.
State of the Union Invitation Extended
President Trump had extended an invitation for the team to attend his State of the Union address, with efforts reportedly made to accommodate them during his remarks. This gesture underscored the significance of their Olympic achievement in the national spotlight.
The team's victory, ending a decades-long gold medal drought, has been widely celebrated across the United States, making their White House visit a symbolic moment in sports diplomacy.
