NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
President Donald Trump announced during the State of the Union address that Team USA hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom after anchoring the team’s gold medal victory at the Cortina Olympics in Milan.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US on February 24, 2026. (REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)
During the gold medal game win over Canada, Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help keep the game tied at 1-1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes ultimately scored the game winner Canada’s 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.
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. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth even gave his old title, Minister of Defense, to Hellebuyck for his performance.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
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)
Hellebuyck helped the United States make history as the first team since the “Miracle on Ice” squad of 1980 to win Olympic gold. Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal to strike gold in Milan, and it’s been a celebration ever since for Team USA.
