Trump Invites U.S. Men's Hockey Team To State Of The Union After Olympic Gold

The team's historic gold medal win over Canada marks their first Olympic triumph since the 1980s 'Miracle on Ice'.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 5:49pm

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President Donald Trump has invited the U.S. men's hockey team to Tuesday's State of the Union address after their historic Olympic gold medal victory over Canada. The invitation came via speakerphone in the team's locker room on Sunday, with FBI Director Kash Patel holding the phone as Trump delivered his message to the celebrating players.

Why it matters

The U.S. men's hockey team's Olympic gold medal win over Canada ended a 46-year drought, marking a significant achievement for American sports. Trump's invitation to the State of the Union address further highlights the team's accomplishment and provides them with a high-profile platform to celebrate their victory.

The details

The U.S. team's 2-1 overtime victory against Canada was an emotional triumph, as the team carried the jersey of elite NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, who died in a tragic accident in 2024. Team captains Dylan Larkin and Matthew Tkachuk carried Gaudreau's jersey around the ice after the win, and Gaudreau's children joined the team's celebration photo.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team won the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • President Trump invited the team to the State of the Union address, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who invited the U.S. men's hockey team to the State of the Union address.

Kash Patel

The FBI Director who held the phone as President Trump delivered his message to the celebrating players.

Jack Hughes

The U.S. men's hockey team player who scored the winning goal against Canada in overtime.

Johnny Gaudreau

An elite NHL player who was expected to make the U.S. Olympic roster but tragically died in a cycling accident in August 2024. His jersey was carried by the team during their Olympic victory.

Dylan Larkin

A team captain who carried Gaudreau's jersey around the ice after the team's Olympic gold medal win.

Matthew Tkachuk

A team captain who carried Gaudreau's jersey around the ice after the team's Olympic gold medal win.

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What they’re saying

“I'll tell you what. I just told my people two minutes ago, I didn't know they'd be calling, I said we're giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Fox 4 KDFW)

“We'll get Kash, and we'll get the military to get you guys over. You won't have to worry about the weather or landing. We don't care if it's snowing or if it's the worst blizzard – we'll be sailing through like you did on the ice.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Fox 4 KDFW)

“He obviously would have been on this team — and been a huge part of it. A guy I grew up with and against and knew pretty well. It's more than hockey, at that point. … He deserved better, and he had a big part in how things went down today.”

— J.T. Miller, U.S. men's hockey team forward (Fox 4)

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, where they will be honored by President Trump for their historic Olympic gold medal victory.

The takeaway

The U.S. men's hockey team's Olympic triumph not only ended a 46-year drought, but also carried deep emotional significance as they honored their fallen teammate Johnny Gaudreau. President Trump's invitation to the State of the Union address further underscores the team's remarkable achievement and provides them with a high-profile platform to celebrate their victory.