Trump honors US men’s hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck with Medal of Freedom at SOTU
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced Tuesday night, February 24, that Team USA hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will soon receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, praising the netminder’s standout performance against Canada.
Speaking during his State of the Union address, Trump singled out Hellebuyck’s heroics in the United States’ 2–1 gold-medal victory, telling lawmakers the goalie’s effort deserved the nation’s highest civilian honor.
JUST IN: President Trump announces he will soon be awarding Team USA hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 25, 2026
Hellebuyck made over 40 saves during Team USA's win against Canada.
"I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian… pic.twitter.com/AN9yXYuuFe
Trump to award Connor Hellebuyck Presidential Medal of Freedom
Trump made the announcement while addressing Congress, framing the honor as recognition of an exceptional athletic moment. “I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor,” the president said.
He emphasized the prestige of the recognition, adding that the award has historically gone to select athletes.
“We will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years,” Trump continued. “But when I say many, not too many, like 12, it's called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
During his first term, the president awarded the honor to athletes including Tiger Woods, Alan Page, and Roger Staubach. He also awarded the medal posthumously to baseball legend Babe Ruth.
Connor Hellebuyck’s 41 saves power Team USA victory
Trump’s praise centered on Hellebuyck’s performance in the gold-medal game against Canada at the Milan Cortina Games.
The Team USA goalie stopped 41 shots, many described as spectacular, helping secure the narrow 2–1 victory. His performance proved decisive in the tightly contested matchup and quickly became a talking point among fans and commentators.
The president also used the moment to highlight the broader success of American teams, striking a characteristically upbeat tone.
Trump introduces the US men's hockey team: "We're winning so much that we really don't know what to do about it. People are asking me, 'Please, please, please Mr President, we're winning too much! We can't take it anymore! We're not used to winning in our country! Until you came… pic.twitter.com/ejZD4viKzA
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2026
Introducing the US men’s hockey team, Trump said, “We're winning so much that we really don't know what to do about it.” “People are asking me, 'Please, please, please Mr President, we're winning too much! We can't take it anymore! We're not used to winning in our country! Until you came along we were just always losing.'”
