Former NHL Star Jeremy Roenick Defends Team USA Hockey's Celebration

Roenick blasts 'hypocrites' who criticized the team's White House visit and locker room celebration.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Former NHL star and Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick has come to the defense of the U.S. men's hockey team, who faced criticism for celebrating their gold medal win at the Milano Cortina Olympics with FBI director Kash Patel and accepting an invitation to the White House. Roenick condemned the 'hypocrites' who are 'politicizing the sport' and not celebrating the team's historic achievement.

Why it matters

Roenick's comments highlight the ongoing debate around the role of politics in sports, as the U.S. men's hockey team's actions have drawn both praise and criticism from different segments of the public. This reflects broader tensions in American society around the intersection of sports, politics, and national pride.

The details

In an interview on 'Jesse Watters Primetime', Roenick said 'Shame on everybody for not celebrating this' victory, which secured Team USA's first gold medal in Olympic men's hockey since the 'Miracle on Ice' team in 1980. He criticized the 'politicization of the sport' and the 'hypocrites' who are not celebrating the team's achievement. The U.S. men's hockey team drew criticism for celebrating in the locker room with FBI director Kash Patel and accepting an invitation to the White House, which the U.S. women's team declined.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team won the gold medal at the Milano Cortina Olympics on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The team returned to the U.S. on Monday, February 24, 2026 and celebrated in Miami.
  • The team was invited to attend the State of the Union Address in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Jeremy Roenick

A former NHL star and Hockey Hall of Famer who defended the U.S. men's hockey team's celebration of their gold medal win.

Kash Patel

The FBI director who was present in the U.S. men's hockey team's locker room celebration.

Donald Trump

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

Jack Hughes

An Olympic hero and member of the U.S. men's hockey team.

U.S. women's hockey team

The U.S. women's hockey team, who also won gold at the Milano Cortina Olympics, declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union Address.

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What they’re saying

“Shame on everybody for not celebrating this.”

— Jeremy Roenick, Former NHL Star (Jesse Watters Primetime)

“Sports is not supposed to be political. It's supposed to unite the country. We're all supposed to get together and believe in one thing. I think 99% of Americans on social media was loving it.”

— Jeremy Roenick, Former NHL Star (Jesse Watters Primetime)

“And then you turn around and see the politicization of the sport, and it's just not right. The hypocrites are coming out in droves and it's unfortunate we can't take the greatest moments in sports and all celebrate it. It's a real shame.”

— Jeremy Roenick, Former NHL Star (Jesse Watters Primetime)

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will attend the State of the Union Address in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The takeaway

Roenick's defense of the U.S. men's hockey team's celebration highlights the ongoing debate around the role of politics in sports. While some have criticized the team's actions as too political, Roenick argues that sports should unite the country and that the team's historic achievement should be celebrated without partisan divisions.