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President Donald Trump announced during the State of the Union address that Team USA men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom after cementing the team’s gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
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United States President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address on the House floor of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, United States, on February 24, 2026. (REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)
During the gold medal game victory over Canada, Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help keep the game tied 1-1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes finally scored the winning goal. Canada 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.
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. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth He even gave his old title, Secretary of Defense, to Hellebuyck for his performance.
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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)
Hellebuyck helped the United States make history as the first team since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” to win Olympic gold. Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal to take gold in Milan, and it’s been a party for Team USA ever since.
