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After watching Team USA defeat Canada in the men’s Olympic hockey gold, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth bestowed his old title on US goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck collected 41 saves to help keep the game tied at 1-1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes ultimately scored the game-winner past Canada netminder Jordan Binnington.
One of Hellebuyck’s saves saw him somehow stop an open Devon Toews shot in front of his crease with only his stick, quickly turning with his right hand to stop the puck and keep the game tied in the second period. Without that save, and many others, the result could have been different.
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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the IRS news points to “what we are doing to rebuild our military.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
A social media account called Hellebuyck “The Secretary of Defense,” and Hegseth, who held that title before the agency he heads became known as the Department of War last September, approved of the moniker.
“Now we have a Minister of War … and a Minister of Defense!” Hegseth said of the post showing Hellebuyck’s incredible effort.
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK’S MIRACLE STICK HELPS TEAM USA WIN FIRST HOCKEY GOLD SINCE 1980 AT THE OLYMPICS
Hegseth was one of many to show American pride as the U.S. downed Canada, which failed to capitalize on some Grade-A chances on Hellebuyck, including assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon missing an open net in the third period.
For the save on Toews, the Canadian Colorado Avalanche star lifted the puck slightly for Hellebuyck’s paddle to get right in the way of the save. At the time, the score was 1-1, and it stayed there until the end of the second period and the whole of the third before it had to be extended to.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team United saves the shot taken by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada during the third period during the men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said via NBC after the game. “We grinded, we battled, and this was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”
The 32-year-old Hellebuyck gave up a goal to Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but he made the save after that tying goal to give his team a chance at greatness.
After the game, Hellebuyck skated around the ice alone with an American flag on his back as the crowd roared its approval.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the ice hockey men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images)
Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams come home with gold in what was a historic Milan Cortina Games for the United States
The United States finished with 33 total medals, including a record 12 golds at the Winter Olympics.
