Connor Hellebuyck to receive Presidential Medal Of Freedom; will receive presidential medal of freedom after Olympic gold
Connor Hellebuyck will receive the presidential medal of freedom after his starring role in Team USA's Olympic title run, a reward that follows his 41‑save performance in the gold medal game and a State of the Union welcome from President Donald Trump. The honor underscores how Hellebuyck’s showing in Milan turned a once little‑known goaltender into a central figure of the United States’ first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980.
Presidential Medal Of Freedom follows President Donald Trump’s State of the Union welcome
President Donald Trump welcomed Team USA men's hockey to the State of the Union address days after the team won gold at the Winter Olympics, and Hellebuyck is set to receive the Presidential Medal Of Freedom. The sequence—Olympic gold, a White House‑time public recognition in the State of the Union, and the award—ties the on‑ice result to formal national honors.
Gold‑medal game in Milan: 41 saves and a stick‑behind‑the‑back stop
Hellebuyck made 41 saves in Sunday’s gold medal game, including one with his stick held behind his back, helping secure a 2‑1 overtime victory against Canada. The match concluded the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on day 16 at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.
From UMass Amherst to fourth‑round pick: the college years
At 32 years old, Hellebuyck’s path included a breakout college stint at UMass Amherst. He was a fourth‑round pick by the Winnipeg Jets, 130th overall in 2012, and spent two seasons in college, winning the Hockey East Conference both times, reaching the Frozen Four in his freshman year, and being named the top college goalie in his sophomore season.
NHL debut, early breakout and international appearances
Hellebuyck made his NHL debut on Nov. 27, 2015, winning his first four games and recording a shutout in his ninth. He broke out in his third season by leading the NHL with 44 wins, earning his first All‑Star nod and finishing second in Vezina Trophy voting before winning the award two years later. He has represented the United States previously in the 4 Nations and at the men’s world championships in both 2015 and 2017.
Trophies, awards and postseason contrast with regular season
Hellebuyck is the back‑to‑back reigning Vezina Trophy winner and is one of just 13 goalies in NHL history to win the award three or more times; he also holds the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. That regular‑season excellence has not translated into deep playoff runs: since making the Western Conference Finals in his breakout 2017‑18 campaign, Hellebuyck and the Jets have not advanced past the second round. He is 24‑34 lifetime in the playoffs, with a playoff save percentage of. 903 compared with. 917 in the regular season and a goals‑against average of 2. 90 in the playoffs versus 2. 55 in the regular season since 2017 (career playoff GAA cited as 2. 79 in one passage in the provided context). In five games at the Olympics he stopped 95. 6% of shots on goal (131 of 137) and allowed more than one goal just once — unclear in the provided context.
