During the call, Trump congratulated the team and referenced standout goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for his performance in the final. The exchange drew wide attention on social media and news platforms.
White House Visit and Absences
The U.S. men’s hockey team later attended a White House event connected to the State of the Union address. Most of the roster was present, but five players were not in attendance: Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger, and Kyle Connor.
No official statements have been issued by the team linking the absences to political views or disagreements. Observers on social media speculated about possible reasons, but there is no confirmation supporting those claims.
Scheduling and Professional Commitments
One of the players who did not attend, Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets, explained that his decision was based on preparing for upcoming NHL games as the season resumed.
“I’m just getting ready. We play soon, and it’s a big second half of the season,” Connor told The Athletic, noting that his focus was on team responsibilities. The other absent players also had NHL games scheduled around the same time, suggesting scheduling and professional commitments may have played a role.
Support for Women’s Hockey Team
The U.S. women’s hockey team, which also earned gold at the Games, was unable to attend a White House visit due to prior commitments, according to a team spokesperson. Players from both teams publicly expressed mutual support and appreciation for each other’s achievements.
Forward Jack Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal in the final, said the men’s team was proud of the women’s success and emphasized unity between the programs.
No Official Reason Given
At this time, there is no confirmed explanation for why the five players missed the White House visit. Team representatives and the athletes themselves have not indicated that politics influenced their decisions. The situation highlights how scheduling, professional obligations, and personal circumstances can affect attendance at ceremonial events following major sports victories.
The players and team continue to prepare for the remainder of the professional season, following their Olympic success.
And no, we're not tired of winning yet. pic.twitter.com/mrKYmBvGPN
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 24, 2026