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Matthew Tkachuk, a U.S. men’s hockey gold medalist and Florida Panthers star, downplayed criticism surrounding the national team’s decision to visit President Donald Trump at the White House.
Tkachuk appeared on “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” and addressed the criticism he and his teammates received for his locker room celebration and his decision to fly to Washington, D.C., to see Trump and attend his State of the Union address.
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Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026. (Amber Searls/Image Images)
“For us, there will be criticism for everything we’ve done: all the parties we’ve had, all the fun we’ve had,” he said. “But we have earned the right to have the best time and the biggest celebration. Of course, one of the first invitations we received was from the president in the locker room. It was the fastest ‘yes’ in history.”
Tkachuk said the team would have gone to the White House no matter who was president of the country.
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Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after the United States defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
“It doesn’t matter who was president,” he continued. “We are invited as Team USA to go to the White House and represent the sport of hockey, represent USA Hockey, be representatives of the American people. What an honor this is.”
Not all members of the US men’s hockey team went to the White House, as some cited limitations on resuming the NHL regular season as the playoffs approached.
Tkachuk has been to the White House several times since Trump began his second term. He and the Panthers also celebrated their Stanley Cup titles at the White House.
Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after the United States defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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Team USA defeated Canada in overtime to win the gold medal.
