These Are the U.S. Men’s Hockey Players Skipping the White House Visit — and Why
WASHINGTON — Several members of the United States men’s national ice hockey team will not attend the customary White House celebration honoring their Olympic gold-medal victory, citing a mix of personal commitments, scheduling conflicts and individual political views.
The team is being recognized following its dramatic championship win at the Winter Olympic Games. The ceremony is expected to be hosted by Donald Trump as part of the longstanding tradition of welcoming championship teams to the White House.
Who Is Skipping — and Why
While the majority of the roster plans to attend, multiple players have opted out:
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A veteran forward said through his agent that prior family obligations made attendance impossible.
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One defenseman cited offseason training commitments tied to his NHL contract.
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Another player indicated his absence was a “personal decision,” without elaborating publicly.
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Sources close to the team said at least one athlete expressed discomfort with the political climate but did not wish to make a public statement.
None of the players skipping the event have criticized the White House directly.
Voluntary Tradition
Attendance at White House celebrations is voluntary, and teams have historically allowed players to decide individually whether to participate. In recent years, such visits have occasionally drawn attention when athletes in various sports chose not to attend due to political differences.
USA Hockey officials emphasized that the focus remains on celebrating the team’s achievement.
“This is about honoring an incredible Olympic run,” a team spokesperson said. “Players are free to make their own choices.”
No Rift Inside the Locker Room
Coaches and team leaders have downplayed suggestions of division, describing the absences as routine and not indicative of broader team tensions.
The gold-medal victory marked a significant milestone for U.S. men’s hockey and drew strong television ratings nationwide. Despite a handful of absences, the White House ceremony is expected to proceed with most of the championship roster present.
