USA Hockey Icon Shares Surprising Details from State of the Union Event

Matthew Tkachuk, a standout player in USA hockey, recently shared his thoughts on the “special” experience of attending the State of the Union alongside his gold-medal-winning teammates.

The U.S. men’s hockey team received a warm welcome from former President Donald Trump on Tuesday night. They attended his Congressional address in celebration of their victory over Canada in the Winter Olympics gold-medal match.

The Olympic champions were introduced to the House chamber at the Capitol by the president himself, sparking enthusiastic chants of “USA” from the crowd.

The gold medalists were met with a standing ovation from Republicans and many others present, although a few Democrats notably withheld their applause.

Despite the mixed reception from some of Trump’s political opponents, Tkachuk emphasized that the event was a memorable experience for him and his team.

‘I’m gonna be honest, I was chanting USA myself – like I’ve never done that before. I don’t think in my life other than like another sports event,’ the forward, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers, told Fox’s Sean Hannity.

Matthew Tkachuk (L) opened up on the ‘special’ experience of attending the State of the Union

Trump gave the team a rousing reception as deafening ‘USA’ chants filled the chamber

Players pumped their fists and posed with their gold medals as Republicans went crazy 

‘It was so cool. I came out holding the gold medal,’ he added before insisting that the host wore his medal for the remainder of the interview, to which Hannity joked, ‘I’m not giving it back.’

‘It was really cool to walk down and hold the gold medal and chant USA and see everybody standing and applauding,’ Tkachuk continued. 

‘It was a really special moment for myself and my teammates. We felt the love and support ever since we’ve stepped foot back in the US.’

Led by goalscoring hero Jack Hughes and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the men’s players entered the House chamber through two sets of doors and walked down the rows of the press gallery.

Republicans cheered and chanted ‘USA!’ several times, many even pumping fists.

Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted ‘Love you!’ to the players.

The experience was particularly special for one player when Trump suddenly announced that he would be awarding the nation’s highest honor. 

During the celebrations Trump announced he was awarding Hellebuyck, who remarkably saved 41 of 42 shots in the 2-1 overtime win over Canada, the Presidential Medal of Freedom following a vote by the players.

The Florida Panthers forward is pictured partying in Miami following the gold medal win 

Some Democrats refused to give a standing ovation to the Team USA men’s hockey stars

Trump said: ‘They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everybody saw. As did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House.

‘They were in the Oval Office before and I just want to say a second big congratulations to Team USA. We took a vote and I said “if anybody votes no, I’m not doing it.” They said they weren’t about to say no because they’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as Connor Hellebuyck.

‘I asked him, “the one shot where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off, did you practice that or was it a little lucky? He refused to answer that question.

‘But I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, 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 which is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

‘What a special job you did. What special champions you are. Thank you very much.’

The men’s team spent Tuesday in Washington DC after being invited by Trump in the celebratory locker room phone call that has since divided America.

Following a riotous night of celebrating in Miami, the men’s team flew to Washington DC on Tuesday morning. They met Trump in the Oval Office as he prepared to deliver his State of the Union address.

There were 20 members of the 25-man Winter Olympics roster in Washington DC with five choosing to skip the trip.

The Winter Olympics champions were given a rousing introduction from President Trump

The Republican leader slipped on a gold medal before posing for pictures with the team

They walked along the West Wing colonnade where Trump has portraits of every president

Tkachuk was one player whom Trump recognized instantly as the team filtered into the Oval Office. 

He recently made flattering comments about the President after the Panthers celebrated their latest Stanley Cup title at the White House last month.

As a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, Tkachuk was making his third White House trip in just over 12 months. ‘There’s my friend,’ Trump told the elder Tkachuk brother. ‘You’ve come a long way since I last saw you.’

Videos and photos shared on social media by Trump administration aides throughout Tuesday documented their trip to the White House. They showed hockey team members posing for a photograph in front of the South Portico.

They walked along the West Wing colonnade where Trump has posted portraits of every U.S. president just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed by Trump.

As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press office’s open door to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Sunday.

It was the Americans’ first gold medal in men’s hockey since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ group won in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980. Staffers applauded and shouted, ‘We love you!’