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After watching Team USA defeat Canada in the Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded his former title to American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help keep the game tied 1-1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes eventually scored the winning goal past Canadian goalkeeper Jordan Binnington.
On one of Hellebuyck’s saves, he somehow stopped an open shot from Devon Toews in front of his crease with just his stick, quickly turning with his right hand to stop the puck and keep the game tied in the second period. Without that save, and many others, the outcome could have been different.
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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the IRS news points to “what we are doing to rebuild our military.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
One social media account dubbed Hellebuyck “Secretary of Defense,” and Hegseth, who held that title before the agency he heads became known as the War Department last September, endorsed the designation.
“We now have a Secretary of War… and a Secretary of Defense!” Hegseth said of the post showcasing Hellebuyck’s incredible efforts.
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK’S MIRACLE STICK HELPED TEAM USA CAPTURE FIRST HOCKEY GOLD SINCE 1980 OLYMPICS
Hegseth was one of many to show American pride as the United States defeated Canada, which failed to capitalize on some top-notch opportunities against Hellebuyck, including assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon missing an open net in the third period.
To save Toews, the Canadian Colorado Avalanche star lifted the puck a little so Hellebuyck’s paddle would get in the way of the save. At that point, the score was 1-1 and remained that way until the end of the second half and throughout the third before overtime was necessary.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves the shot made by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said, via NBC, after the game. “We worked hard, we fought and this was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”
Hellebuyck, 32, allowed a goal to Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but made save after save after that game-tying score to give his team a chance at glory.
After the game, Hellebuyck was skating alone on the ice with an American flag on his back, as the crowd roared their approval.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the men’s gold medal ice hockey game between Canada and the USA on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images)
Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams return home with gold in what was a historic Milan Cortina Games for the United States.
The United States finished with 33 total medals, including a record 12 golds at the Winter Olympics.
