Trump Announces Team USA Hockey Goalie Connor Hellebuyck to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Donald Trump announced during his State of the Union address that Team USA men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom after cementing the team’s gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

During the gold medal game victory over Canada, Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help keep the game tied 1-1, forcing overtime.

Jack Hughes scored the winning goal past Canada goalkeeper Jordan Binnington.

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“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said, via NBC, after the game. “We worked hard, we fought and this was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”

Hellebuyck somehow stopped an open shot from Devon Toews in front of his crease with just his stick, quickly turning with his right hand to stop the puck and keeping the game tied in the second period. Without that save, and many others, the outcome could have been different.

Canadian Mitch Marner had the puck in the offensive zone when he lofted it toward Hellebuyck’s net, where defenseman Devon Toews was right in front. Maybe nine times out of 10, Toews scores in this scenario, but Hellebuyck somehow had the wherewithal to throw away his stick as a last-ditch effort to make the save.

Instead of the puck staying on the ice, Toews lifted it a little and Hellebuyck’s shovel came up to thwart the goal attempt. At that point, the score was 1-1 and remained that way until the end of the second half and throughout the third before overtime was necessary.

After the game, Hellebuyck was skating alone on the ice with an American flag on his back, as the crowd cheered for the man they knew was as much of a hero as Hughes in victory.

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth He jokingly gave his old title, Secretary of Defense, to Hellebuyck for his performance.

“We now have a Secretary of War… and a Secretary of Defense!” Hegseth said of the post showcasing Hellebuyck’s incredible efforts.

Hellebuyck helped the United States make history as the first team since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” to win Olympic gold. Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal to take gold in Milan, and it’s been a party for Team USA ever since.

Canada has historically been the most dominant Olympic hockey team in history, with nine gold medals, the best in the world. Sunday’s victory also avenged a loss to Canada in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face Off exhibition last year.

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The United States finished with 33 total medals, including a record 12 golds at the Winter Olympics.

News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

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