Avalanche's Brock Nelson Skips Team USA White House Visit

Nelson returns to Denver with Avalanche teammates instead of attending celebration with President Trump.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Brock Nelson, a member of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal, opted to skip the traditional White House visit with the team and instead returned to Denver to rejoin his NHL club, the Colorado Avalanche. Nelson and three other Avalanche players who competed in the gold medal game did not practice with the team on Tuesday but are expected to be with the club for their first game back from the Olympic break.

Why it matters

Nelson's decision not to attend the White House celebration comes amid ongoing criticism over President Trump's involvement with the U.S. team's post-game festivities, including making a controversial joke about also inviting the women's hockey team. This highlights the growing trend of some athletes choosing to skip White House visits due to political disagreements.

The details

After the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal, the players received a congratulatory phone call from President Trump. However, Nelson opted to fly back to Denver with his Avalanche teammates rather than travel to Washington D.C. for the White House visit. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Nelson and three other Avalanche players who competed in the gold medal game will not practice with the team on Tuesday, but are expected to join them on Wednesday for their first game after the Olympic break.

  • On Tuesday morning, the four Avalanche players who competed in the gold medal game returned to Denver.
  • Nelson had the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to visit the White House with the rest of the U.S. Olympic team.
  • Nelson instead flew back to Denver to rejoin the Avalanche, who are scheduled to play the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday.

The players

Brock Nelson

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who won a gold medal playing for the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

Jared Bednar

The head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who invited the U.S. Olympic hockey team to the White House.

Kash Patel

The FBI director who joined the U.S. Olympic hockey team in their locker room to celebrate their gold medal win.

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What they’re saying

“Some players, presumably those four who played in the gold medal game, are going to stay behind Tuesday night in Denver and then fly to Salt Lake City on Wednesday morning.”

— Jared Bednar, Head Coach, Colorado Avalanche (The Denver Post)

What’s next

The Avalanche are scheduled to play the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday, and it is unclear if any of the four Avalanche players who competed in the gold medal game will be available to play.

The takeaway

Brock Nelson's decision to skip the traditional White House visit with the U.S. Olympic hockey team highlights the growing trend of athletes choosing to forgo such events due to political disagreements. This reflects the increasingly polarized nature of politics in the United States and the willingness of some public figures to take a stand on their beliefs.