The U.S. women’s hockey team, fresh off their Olympic gold medal victory in Milan, will not attend President Trump’s State of the Union address. USA Hockey issued a statement expressing gratitude for the invitation but cited prior commitments that prevent the athletes from attending.
Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s team, who also won gold in Milan, received invitations to both the State of the Union and a White House event. Player Matthew Tkachuk mentioned plans to head to D.C. but wasn’t sure if they would attend the address.
Coach Scott Arniel shared that they were still waiting for details regarding the trip for players Connor Hellebuyck and Kyle Connor.
During a celebratory call with the men’s team, Trump suggested inviting the women’s team too, joking that omitting them might lead to his impeachment—a comment that drew laughs from the players.
The U.S. women’s team completed an impressive Olympic run, finishing with a 7-0 record. Their last loss in a major international competition was at the 2024 Women’s World Championship, where they narrowly fell to Canada.
As the sports scene evolves, the Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to continue its season, with several U.S. women’s players competing. This highlights the growing visibility and support for women in sports, an area gaining momentum in recent years.
In recent data, women’s sports viewership has increased significantly, with many attending games and engaging on social media. This shift reflects broader societal changes toward gender equality in athletics and beyond. As avenues for women in sports expand, strong role models like the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s team inspire a new generation of athletes.
For more insights on women in sports, check out the Women’s Sports Foundation’s research on growth trends and viewership statistics.
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Men's Olympic Ice Hockey, NHL, Olympics, Women's Hockey, Women's Olympic Ice Hockey
