The gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team arrived at the White House on Tuesday hours before President Trump’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol.
Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Trump sent a military plane to Miami to fly the team to Washington so he could honor them at the White House. It’s not clear if every member of the 25-player roster made the trip.
It wasn’t confirmed that the team will attend the speech.
“We have been working through logistics so that members of Team USA may attend tonight. Tune in!” a White House official told The Washington Times.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, told reporters Tuesday that Mr. Trump called him and asked him to make room for the team in the House chamber for his prime-time address to the nation.
“We’re going to work out the logistics and somehow, someway we’ll squeeze in hockey players tonight,” Mr. Johnson said.
During a postgame celebration inside the locker room at the Milano Santaguilia Ice Hockey Arena on Sunday night, Mr. Trump called the players to congratulate them on winning America’s first men’s hockey gold medal in 46 years.
They did it by beating Canada 2-1 in overtime.
Mr. Trump invited the team to the State of the Union and offered to bring them to Washington via military plane. He told the team they played an “unbelievable game.”
“We’re in,” one player yelled.
“Can you pick us up in Miami on Tuesday morning?” another player shouted, according to a video posted on social media.
The U.S. women’s hockey team, which also won the gold medal, declined Mr. Trump’s invitation to attend the speech.
“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,” a USA Hockey spokesperson said in a statement. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
Like their male counterparts, the American women beat Canada 2-1 in overtime for the gold medal.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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