Team USA etched its name into hockey history in Milan on Sunday, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime to capture Olympic gold. The dramatic win ended a 46-year title drought and fittingly came on the anniversary of the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” Now, President Donald Trump is set to honor Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with the nation’s highest civilian award for his key role.
Connor Hellebuyck To Receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Hellebuyck put together a gold-medal performance to remember against Canada, stopping 41 shots and holding firm in the game’s most significant moments to help seal the historic victory.
On Tuesday night, during his State of the Union address, President Trump announced that Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
“I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which we will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years,” Trump said. “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.”
As the president made the announcement, Hellebuyck tapped his heart and waved to the chamber while those in attendance rose for a standing ovation.
If awarded, Hellebuyck would become the first professional hockey player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a distinction previously bestowed upon icons such as Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Michael Jordan, Megan Rapinoe, and Babe Ruth.
“Great athletes have gotten that, very great, the best,” Trump said. “I thought he deserved it. I did take a vote… and every single one of them rapidly put up their hand. So, I want to thank you all. What a special job you did. What special champions you are.”
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Viral Moment From the Oval Office
The celebration didn’t end at the Capitol. In a video later posted on X from the Oval Office, Trump stood alongside members of the gold-medal squad and joked about having a “new Secretary of Defense.”
“These are the U.S. players who won the gold medal, and I got myself one great Secretary of Defense, the goalie!” Trump quipped.
The clip showed Hellebuyck pointing toward the camera as teammates applauded behind him, a lighthearted moment that quickly went viral online.
Now, with an Olympic gold medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom on the horizon, Hellebuyck’s resume extends far beyond the NHL.
