Trump to Give USA Hockey Goalie Presidential Medal of Freedom

Starting goalie Conner Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 shots against Canada to help carry Team USA to its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.

Team USA goalie Conner Hellebuyck, front row, acknowledges applause as President Trump announces his individual honor during the State of the Union Address in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill on Feb. 24, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

President Donald Trump announced that he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Conner Hellebuyck, the goalie for the United States’ men’s Olympic hockey team.

The announcement was made during his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, just a few hours after Hellebuyck and nearly all of the gold-medal-winning hockey team visited the White House.