Anaheim Duck Skips U.S. Hockey Team's White House Visit

Defenseman Jackson LaCombe was one of five players who declined to attend the celebration of the team's gold medal win over Canada.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The United States men's hockey team was in Washington, D.C., to celebrate their gold medal win over Canada at the White House, but one Anaheim Duck, defenseman Jackson LaCombe, was not in attendance. LaCombe was one of five players who skipped the visit, along with Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Brock Nelson and Jake Oettinger.

Why it matters

The American hockey team has been embroiled in political controversy, with FBI Director Kash Patel celebrating with the men's team after their win and President Donald Trump speaking to the team via phone, during which he disparaged the women's national team. The women's team declined a White House visit, citing scheduling conflicts.

The details

Those who skipped the White House visit haven't publicly commented on their reasons, but it's possible LaCombe, a native of Minnesota, didn't want to visit the White House due to the Trump administration's immigration raids that have targeted the Minneapolis area, where two American citizens were shot and killed by federal agents.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team visited the White House on February 25, 2026 to celebrate their gold medal win.
  • President Trump spoke to the men's team via phone after their victory.

The players

Jackson LaCombe

A defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks who skipped the U.S. hockey team's White House visit.

Kyle Connor

One of five U.S. hockey team members who declined to attend the White House visit.

Jake Guentzel

One of five U.S. hockey team members who declined to attend the White House visit.

Brock Nelson

One of five U.S. hockey team members who declined to attend the White House visit.

Jake Oettinger

One of five U.S. hockey team members who declined to attend the White House visit.

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What they’re saying

“People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them. The same way we feel about them, they feel about us.”

— Jack Hughes, Men's hockey team member (ESPN)

“I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that. If he did not invite the women's team, 'I do believe I probably would be impeached,' he joked to laughter.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (NBC News)

What’s next

The five players who skipped the White House visit are expected to attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

The takeaway

The decision by several U.S. hockey team members to skip the White House visit highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the team's victory, with the Trump administration's controversial actions and comments further dividing the men's and women's national teams.