Connor Hellebuyck to receive Presidential Medal Of Freedom
Connor Hellebuyck, the goaltender for the gold-medal-winning U. S. men's Olympic hockey team, will receive the presidential medal of freedom, President Donald Trump announced during Tuesday night's State of the Union. P. K. Subban is full of praise for Team USA men's hockey after it defeated Canada to win the gold medal (2: 07), and Hellebuyck reacted in the chamber as the announcement was made.
Announcement at State of the Union
President Donald Trump made the announcement during Tuesday night's State of the Union with players from the U. S. men's hockey team in attendance. A smiling Hellebuyck tapped his heart and waved his hand as those in the chamber applauded when Trump made the announcement. Trump addressed the chamber and the team, saying, "Great athletes have gotten that, very great, the best. I thought he deserved it. I did take a vote -- every single one of them. I said, 'I'm not giving it if anybody goes "no, "' 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. "
Presidential Medal Of Freedom announcement
It is believed that Hellebuyck, who plays for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets, will be the first hockey player to receive the Presidential Medal Of Freedom. Athletes such as Simone Biles, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordan, Megan Rapinoe and Babe Ruth are among the 671 individuals who have received the award, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Gold-medal game and saves
Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the gold medal game against Canada and assisted on the overtime goal scored by Jack Hughes in the Americans' 2-1 victory. His signature moment in the win came when he made a sprawling save and used his stick to stop Devon Toews; other accounts of his Olympic play say he made a save with his stick behind his back. In five Olympic games he stopped 95. 6% of the shots on goal (131 of 137) and allowed more than one goal just once.
Team entrance and reaction
Players from the U. S. men's team — wearing blue "USA" sweaters, khakis and their gold medals — entered the House chamber through two sets of doors and walked down the rows of the press gallery. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle stood and cheered, chanted "USA!" several times and many pumped their fists as the team passed.
NHL resume and awards
Winning Olympic gold has added to Hellebuyck's reputation in the NHL. He was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy for the 2024-25 season as the league's most valuable player, becoming the eighth goalie to win the award and the first since Carey Price in 2014-15. He also won his third Vezina Trophy that season, and is described as a back-to-back reigning Vezina Trophy winner and the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner.
Career milestones and playoffs
Hellebuyck, 32, was a fourth-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets, 130th overall in 2012, after making his mark at UMass Amherst. He spent two seasons in college, winning the Hockey East Conference both times, reached the Frozen Four in his freshman year and was named the top college goalie in his sophomore season. He 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, leading the NHL with 44 wins, earning his first All-Star nod and finishing second in Vezina Trophy voting before taking the award two years later.
Internationally, the Olympics were not his first U. S. representation; he was on the team in the 4 Nations and played in the men's world championships in both 2015 and 2017. Regular-season success has not always translated to deep playoff runs: after making the Western Conference Finals in 2017-18, Hellebuyck and the Jets have not gotten past the second round. His lifetime playoff record stands at 24-34 with a. 903 save percentage, down from a. 917 regular-season mark; his goals-against average is listed as 2. 79 (2. 55 in the regular season since 2017) and 2. 90 in the playoffs.
The U. S. men's Olympic gold was the country's first since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that stunned the Soviet Union. Hellebuyck's role in the run and his NHL honors formed the basis for the presidential announcement that he will receive the presidential medal of freedom.
Event details from the gold-medal match place it on Feb. 22, 2026, at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy.
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