Team USA hockey star Kyle Connor addressed his decision to skip President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, which was attended by almost all of his gold medal–winning teammates.
“I’m just getting ready to play on Wednesday,” Connor, 29, told reporters on Tuesday after returning to practice with his Winnipeg Jets teammates.
The Jets return to action after the Olympic break on Wednesday, February 25, when they travel to face the Vancouver Canucks.
“We have a big second half so I just wanted to make sure I was ready,” said Connor, a native of Clinton Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit.
Team USA’s Jack Hughes Reacts to Women’s Team Skipping State of the Union
After Tuesday’s practice, Connor was asked about the controversy surrounding Team USA’s phone call with Trump, 79, after they defeated Team Canada to win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, February 22.
During the call, Trump took a dig at Team USA’s women’s hockey team, who also won gold at the Olympics, saying he’d “probably be impeached” if he didn’t also invite them to D.C. to be honored.
“I don’t really have any thoughts on that,” Connor said. “There’s so many things happening. We just won the gold medal and things are going on so I don’t really remember what he said. It’s such a whirlwind, just celebrating.”
Connor was one of five members of Team USA men’s hockey roster not to travel to the nation’s capital to meet with Trump.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel, Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe also returned home to be with their NHL teams instead of making the trip.
Twenty of the 25 players on the Team USA roster met with Trump in D.C. on Tuesday, though not all of them attended the State of the Union that evening.
Connor’s teammate, goalie Connor Hellebuyck, was singled out by the president during Tuesday night’s address, revealing plans to reward him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his performance at the Olympics.
“The members of this hockey squad will be very happy to hear that, based on their vote, and my vote, and in this case my vote was more important, that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor,” Trump announced.
The president added, “I’ve never seen a goalie play as well as Connor Hellebuyck.”
Hellebuyck, 32, is expected to be with the Jets in Vancouver when they return to action on Wednesday night.
Team USA’s women’s hockey team also received an invitation to attend Tuesday night’s State of the Union, but they declined.
Quinn Hughes ‘Excited’ to Attend State of the Union After Women Decline
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey said in a statement on Monday, February 23. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
USA Hockey pointed to “the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” as a reason for their absence.
A source told the Associated Press that the team didn’t receive the invitation until Sunday evening, which made it “difficult” to rearrange travel plans.
Trump referenced the women’s team during his address on Tuesday, insisting they will “soon be coming to the White House.”
