USA junior hockey team looks back at viral moment singing national anthem after world championship win

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Co-host Steve Doocy welcomed Rutger McGroarty, Lane Hutson, Ryan Chesley, Cutter Gauthier, and Gavin Brindley, all members of the 2024 USA junior hockey team, on the January 8 episode of 'Fox & Friends'.

The team has recently gone viral on social media after they passionately sang the national anthem following their victory at the world championship in Sweden.

Prevailing over their Swedish counterparts, team USA secured gold at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on January 5.

The footage of them singing the national anthem thereafter was aired by Canada-based network TSN Sports and was later appreciatively circulated on social media.

How did the junior hockey team look back at their viral moment?

Recounting the significance of the moment, University of Michigan sophomore and team captain McGroarty told Doocy, "I would say just for us… just shows how much we love our country and… how we came together in such a short amount of time," as the host asked why he thought the moment went.

"We set a culture for ourselves, and… we won the gold medal. So… we're all pretty fired up," he added.

Doocy later asked the players if they plan on continuing their hockey career as professionals, to which University of Minnesota sophomore Chelsey responded, "That's the goal. Obviously, a lot can happen in the future, but we're all looking forward to having that opportunity and… keep working on our game."

Controversy surrounds USA jr hockey team's viral moment

In an unfortunate turn of events, the proud moment for the country was not free from controversy, as ESPN did not screen the viral footage after the game.

Former host on the network Sage Steel thus called out her previous employer on X, writing, "Crazy that CANADA's top sports network @TSN_Sports chose to show this special moment from AMERICA's junior hockey team after winning gold..but AMERICA's largest sports network @espn chose to completely ignore it on all social media platforms."

"Also crazy considering ESPN's rights deal with the @NHL. Unlike so many famous millionaire athletes who complain about this country but gladly take the [money]... it's SO refreshing to see such pride from these young men!!!!" she added.

Swimmer and activist Riley Gaines also took to the social media platform to weigh in on the moment, stating, "Pretty amazing display of pride and patriotism. Love to see it. Well done @usahockey"

She called out soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who is widely known for taking a knee during the national anthem, in a separate post, saying, "Hey @mPinoe, take notes."

According to Fox News, the US women's national soccer team faced criticism in the summer of 2023 for standing silent as 'The Star Spangled Banner' played before the opening match at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they faced off against Vietnam.

Several other people on X also called out ESPN, as one wrote, "@espn SHAME ON YOU for not reporting on the USA Junior Hockey team and their win. You show the kids World Series. Was it because they are PROUD AMERICANS and sang our anthem??? Once again you prove the media reports the chosen narrative. You suck."

Another person also slammed the network, writing, "The USA Jr hockey team won the gold. The players sung the National Anthem. Great display of patriotism!!! Oh and ESPN wouldn’t show it. F**k ESPN," as a third person wrote, "@espn Silenced American hockey players who won the gold from singing our National Anthem. You are pathetic @espn."

"USA junior hockey team praised for belting out national anthem after winning gold: 'We love our country' ESPN wouldn’t show this!" criticized another user on X.

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