Team USA’s men’s hockey team returned from Milan as Olympic champions, ending a 46-year wait since the “Miracle on Ice” took place in 1980. The players were welcomed as heroes across the country, and the team received an invitation to visit the White House and attend the State of the Union address.
While most players accepted, five members of the roster chose not to make the trip. Their reasons ranged from personal commitments to NHL obligations.
5) Jackson LaCombe — Anaheim Ducks Defenseman
Jackson LaCombe, who is from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was one of the names from the 2026 Winter Olympics USA team that didn’t attend after Trump’s invitation. The reason behind the defenseman’s denial was that he was traveling back to Southern California to rejoin the Ducks. So far, he has 37 points in 56 NHL games this season.
But LaCombe was not the only player from Minnesota. There are three other players on this list with roots in Minnesota who didn’t go to the White House on Trump’s invitation. However, LaCombe and his teammates did not give any public reason other than NHL responsibilities.
4) Jake Oettinger — Dallas Stars Goalie
Jake Oettinger, who is from Lakeville, Minnesota, had already returned to Dallas before the White House visit. He focused on joining the Stars and getting ready for league play, which was stopped in the Olympic break. NHL insider Lia Assimakopoulos reported that his absence was entirely due to team obligations. He is the Stars’ primary goalie and has a 23-10-4 record this season.
3) Kyle Connor — Winnipeg Jets Forward
Kyle Connor, who is from Clinton Township, Michigan, also did not attend because his team’s schedule required him to return to Winnipeg. He needed to get back to his NHL duties and prepare for upcoming games. The Jets are resuming their season on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks, so his absence was tied to his professional responsibilities.
2) Brock Nelson — Colorado Avalanche Forward
Brock Nelson, a native of Warroad, Minnesota, chose to spend time with family before returning to the Avalanche for their next game in Utah. NHL insider Corey Masisak reported that he wanted to focus on preparing for the regular season, which is resuming. He is one of the most important players on the Avalanche roster with 29 goals this season, so his decision was also based on the team’s schedule and personal priorities.
MORE: Jets Star Kyle Connor Underlines Why He Skipped Donald Trump’s White House Invite
1) Jake Guentzel — Tampa Bay Lightning Forward
Jake Guentzel was born in Omaha but raised in Woodbury, Minnesota, making him the fourth player with roots in Minnesota. He stayed in Tampa instead of traveling to Washington, D.C. Reports said he was focused on returning to his team as the Lightning resumed practice and prepared for upcoming games.
The Lightning are one of the best teams this season, and are a few wins away from securing their playoff berth. They have 78 points this season, and Guentzel is the second-best offensive player on this team, behind Nikita Kucherov. He has 60 points in 55 games this season, and his absence is also due to his NHL commitments.
Even though these players missed the ceremony, their contributions to the team’s gold-medal win were as important as anyone else’s. The celebrations have continued without these players, but the rest will also join their respective teams soon.
