Donald Trump Says He's Awarding Team USA Goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Ingrid VasquezWed, February 25, 2026 at 2:04 PM UTC

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Team USA's men's hockey team attended President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24

Trump began by praising the Team USA men's hockey team for beating a "fantastic Canadian team in overtime" at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, Feb. 22

He then announced that the next recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom will be Team USA Goalie Connor Hellebuyck

President Donald Trump has announced that the next recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom will be Team USA Goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

The president, 79, made the announcement during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Hellebuyck and other members of Team USA's men's hockey team attended the speech.

Trump began by praising the Team USA men's hockey team for beating a "fantastic Canadian team in overtime" at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Members of the Team USA Men's Hockey Team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union addressCredit: Andrew Harnik/Getty

The gold medal game saw Team USA beat Canada 2-1, 46 years after the 1980 Miracle on Ice team won gold during the Lake Placid Games. The U.S defense dominated throughout the game, helping score the victory.

"They were in the Oval Office before, and I just want to say a second, very big congratulations to Team USA," said Trump.

"I have to say that, and I told them this, and we took a vote of the team," he continued. "I said, 'Anybody votes no, I'm not doing it.' So they stood there, and they weren't about to say no, because I'd never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck."

According to Congress.gov, "there is no formal procedure for nominating and selecting recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

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"The President has wide latitude under Executive Order 11515 (March 13, 1970) to award the medal to any person recommended to the President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative," the website states. "Selections often reflect the President's political and personal interests."

The crowd seemed to support Trump's decision, as many in attendance stood, clapped and cheered.

Connor Hellebuyck holds up his gold medalCredit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty

"Think of it, 46 shots on goal, and I asked him, 'That one shot, the one where you put your stick in the back, and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off, you practiced that it was that little lucky?' " said Trump, noting that he "refused" to answer that question.

He then said that the members of the "great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote," that he would "soon be presenting Conor with our highest civilian honor, which will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years."

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After more cheers, Trump said that Hellebuyck "deserved it."

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Source: “AOL Sports”