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After President Donald Trump called the men’s Olympic hockey team to congratulate them on their gold medal, he received criticism for what some considered a lack of respect toward the women’s team that suffered the same fate.
Three days before Jack Hughes’ golden goal, Megan Keller did the same to Canada in the women’s gold medal competition.
Trump told the men’s team after inviting them to Tuesday’s State of the Union that he “would have” to invite the women’s team, otherwise he would “probably be impeached.”
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Gold medalists Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrate after the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Hughes’ mother, Ellen, a player development consultant for Team USA women’s ice hockey, was not bothered by Trump’s comments.
“These players, both men and women, can bring a lot of unity to a group and a country,” he told “TODAY.” “The people who cheer and don’t watch hockey, the people who have politics on one side or the other, and that’s all that matters to both the men’s and women’s teams.”
“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, bedrooms and hallways and flexible floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women encouraged the men and the way the men encouraged the women, that’s what it’s all about,” she continued. “And the other things they can’t control. They care about humanity. They care about unity and they care about the country.”
Megan Keller (5) of Team USA warms up before the Women’s Preliminary Round Group A game between the United States and Czechia on the first day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Rho Ice Hockey Arena on February 5, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Hughes’ brother Quinn, who scored an extra-time goal against Sweden last week, said it was “amazing to spend some time” with the women’s team in the Olympic village.
“And then obviously watching them, Jack and I were there, we watched them win the gold medal. They came to our game and got to watch us,” he said. “So the support back and forth, getting to know them a little better was special as well.”
The women’s team declined an invitation to Washington, D.C., citing schedules. Several members of the men’s team will be present after Monday’s party in Miami.
Brady Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes attend a celebration of the US men’s hockey team’s Olympic gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
The NHL season resumes Wednesday.
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