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The U.S. women’s ice hockey team, fresh off a gold medal win over Canada in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation to our gold medal-winning USA women’s hockey team and greatly appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary performance,” USA Hockey told NBC News. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the recognition.”
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Team USA celebrates after their victory over Sweden in a women’s ice hockey semifinal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Pakinomist Digital.
The women’s hockey team was dominant at the Olympics and it came down to the gold medal game against rival Team Canada last week in a thriller that required overtime after a late goal by Hilary Knight tied the game with less than two minutes left in the third period.
The Knights’ heroics allowed the three-on-three golden goal overtime period, with Megan Keller receiving a pass down the ice, making a smart play on a Canadian defenseman and slotting a shot past the goalie for the win.
A few days later, the men’s hockey team did the exact same thing against Canada, as Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime Sunday afternoon to close out the Milan Cortina Games in style for the United States
During a call to the men’s hockey team Sunday night after their win, Trump also invited the team to the State of the Union. It’s unclear if they plan to attend, given that the NHL schedule resumes Wednesday night.
USA’s Grace Zumwinkle, left, and Taylor Heise celebrate after the women’s ice hockey victory ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
When Trump explained that he might “send a military plane or something” for the team, one player interrupted him, saying, “We’re in.”
Trump then brought up FBI Director Kash Patel, who was seen celebrating with the team in the locker room after the gold medal win.
“We’re going to get Kash and we’re going to get the military to get you guys over,” Trump continued. “Don’t worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard—we’ll sail through like you did on the ice.”
Trump also brought up the women’s hockey team in the phone call.
“I’ve got to tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you know that,” Trump was heard saying over the phone to the men’s team.
Gold medalist Team USA poses after the women’s ice hockey medal ceremony following the women’s gold medal game between the United States and Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Trump also joked, “I think I’d probably be impeached,” if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well as the men.
The professional women’s hockey league will also resume play on Thursday night.
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