President Donald Trump announced during the State of the Union on Tuesday night that he will award the nation’s highest civilian honor to Michigan native Connor Hellebuyck, the Team USA men’s hockey goaltender who helped lead the United States to Olympic gold.
Hellebuyck recorded 41 saves in Sunday’s gold medal game against Canada, prompting the president to praise his athleticism. He will join decorated athletes such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali as recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Team USA attended the State of the Union and received a standing ovation. During his remarks, the president recounted a conversation he said he had with Hellebuyck after the victory.
“I asked him, ‘The one shot – the one where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off – do you practice that or was that a little lucky?’ He refused to answer that question,” Trump joked.
The team – which included several Michigan natives – captured the nation’s first Olympic hockey gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” victory over the Soviet Union. It marks just the third time the U.S. men’s hockey team has won gold.
Trump said he looks forward to honoring Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with the support of his teammates.
“The members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which has been given to many athletes over the years,” the president said. “Great athletes have gotten that, and I thought he deserved it. What a special job you did and what special champions you are.”
