US Women's Hockey Gold Medalist Defends Men's Team Over Olympics Controversy

Abbey Murphy says the two teams share mutual respect despite backlash over Trump comments.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Olympic gold medalist Abbey Murphy dismissed the narrative that the U.S. men's hockey team disrespected the women's team by laughing at a remark President Donald Trump made after their win over Canada. Murphy said the two groups share a mutual respect and that the men's team shouldn't have had to apologize.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding the men's team's interaction with Trump at the State of the Union address threatened to overshadow the genuine connection and support between the two U.S. Olympic hockey teams.

The details

Murphy, who won gold with the U.S. women's hockey team, said her favorite memory from the Olympics was when the two teams met in the dining hall and spent 2.5 hours together sharing laughs and jokes. She said the men's team, led by players like Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, welcomed the women warmly and the two groups clearly respected each other.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team faced backlash after being heard laughing in response to President Trump's comment that he would 'have' to invite the women's team to the State of the Union address.
  • The men's team later apologized for the incident, which Murphy said was 'sad' since the two teams share a mutual respect.

The players

Abbey Murphy

An Olympic gold medalist and University of Minnesota hockey star who defended the U.S. men's hockey team over the controversy surrounding their interaction with President Trump.

Brady Tkachuk

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who Murphy said welcomed the women's team warmly when the two groups met at the Olympics.

Connor Hellebuyck

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who Murphy said welcomed the women's team warmly when the two groups met at the Olympics.

Charlie McAvoy

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who Murphy said welcomed the women's team warmly when the two groups met at the Olympics.

Jack Eichel

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who Murphy said was leading cheers that the women's team followed along with when the two groups met at the Olympics.

Tage Thompson

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who Murphy said had a lot to share and was a 'really funny guy' when the two teams met at the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“The first two guys that we saw were Brady Tkachuk, Connor Hellebuyck and Charlie McAvoy. Charlie McAvoy had his goggles on his head, I mean biggest smile on his face and he welcomed every single girl [with] a big old hug, a squeeze that we were all laughing about, good memories. And he was just super happy for us as we were for them.”

— Abbey Murphy, Olympic Gold Medalist (Spittin' Chiclets)

“We sat around the table with laughs and jokes. Jack Eichel was leading a lot of cheers that we were following along on. I was sitting next to Tage Thompson, who had a lot to share. He was a really funny guy. But, you know, it's just stuff like that we're going to remember forever.”

— Abbey Murphy, Olympic Gold Medalist (Spittin' Chiclets)

“To be there with them and experience all those things was some of the best moments I'll remember. Obviously, a huge honor to represent the country with them. So, glad to make as many memories as possible.”

— Abbey Murphy, Olympic Gold Medalist (Spittin' Chiclets)

“We never felt anything bad from them. It's sad that they even have to apologize for anything. It really is.”

— Abbey Murphy, Olympic Gold Medalist (Spittin' Chiclets)

“They're a special group of boys and we're honored to kind of be in that journey with them and share it. But we know how much they respect us and we respect them. It definitely goes two ways.”

— Abbey Murphy, Olympic Gold Medalist (Spittin' Chiclets)

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the strong bond and mutual respect between the U.S. men's and women's Olympic hockey teams, which should not be overshadowed by a brief lapse in judgment. The two groups clearly share a genuine connection and support for one another that transcends any political drama.