Millions of Americans celebrated Team USA’s thrilling 2-1 victory over archrival Canada in men’s hockey on Sunday.
President Donald Trump called into the team’s locker room after the game and invited them, along with the victorious USA women’s team, to his State of the Union on Tuesday night.
Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who collected 41 saves to help keep the game tied at 1-1 and forced the game to overtime, called out to the President, shouting, “How ya doing, Don?”
The President praised the entire team but had a special shout-out for Hellebuyck, saying he wants to shake his hand.
Our goalie decided we weren’t gonna lose today.. One of the greatest American sport performances of all time
THANK YOU FOR STANDING ON YOUR HEAD CONNOR HELLEBUYCK
pic.twitter.com/GNVnSYWGyd
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 22, 2026
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth added to the praise for Hellebuyck, sharing on X, “Now we have a Secretary of War….and a Secretary of Defense!”
Agreed.
Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense! https://t.co/6WPBz1d3MT
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 22, 2026
Secretary Hegseth also thanked the players for proudly sharing their patriotism and love of America throughout the tournament.
Standout Quinn Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Sweden, sending Team USA to the semifinals. He led all defensemen with 8 points (1 goal + 7 assists), tying records for most points by a defenseman in a single Olympics. His 7 assists set a new U.S. record for a defenseman in an NHL-participation Olympics.
But in a post-game interview, joined by Hellebuyck and his brother Jack, who scored the winning goal, Quinn didn’t gloat.
He made sure to honor the men and women serving in our military, saying, “I want to thank our troops for allowing us to play this game.”
Watch:
A truly special interview with Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck. Beers in hand. Quinn shouting out the troops. The game MVP standing like a statue. Dylan Larkin video bomb. Hockey.pic.twitter.com/HKTk0Dknl6
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 22, 2026
Hegseth noted, “This means more than more folks realize.”
“Perspective. Appreciation. Patriotism. That’s all our troops ask for. Means everything.”
“Thank you @usahockey.”
“I want to thank our troops for allowing us to play this game.”
This means more than most folks realize.
Perspective. Appreciation. Patriotism. That’s all our troops ask for. Means everything.
Thank you @usahockey
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 22, 2026
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