The U.S. women’s ice hockey team announced on Monday that it will not attend President Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, scheduled for Tuesday evening. The team cited scheduling conflicts as the primary reason for their absence.
### Team’s Achievement and Response
In a statement provided to media outlets, a spokesperson for USA Hockey expressed gratitude for the invitation. The statement noted that the women’s team recently achieved a significant milestone by defeating Canada in a dramatic overtime match at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, where they secured their third Olympic gold medal. The spokesperson emphasized that the athletes are “sincerely grateful for the invitation” and “deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement.”
The statement further explained that the team’s prior academic and professional commitments are the primary reasons for their inability to attend the address. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate,” the spokesperson stated. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
### Men’s Team’s Invitation and Reactions
President Trump also extended an invitation to the U.S. men’s hockey team, following their own victory against Canada, which earned them a gold medal. After the game, team member Auston Matthews confirmed that the president spoke with the team during a video call while they were in the locker room.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether the men’s team will attend the State of the Union address. When asked about the team’s plans at Miami International Airport, player Matthew Tkachuk stated, “I don’t know what our plan is yet,” although he mentioned he would be heading to Washington D.C. on Tuesday.
### Current Celebrations and Future Plans
Currently, the U.S. men’s hockey team is celebrating their victory in South Florida and is expected to continue festivities at E11EVEN Miami, a well-known nightclub in the area. The celebratory atmosphere stems from their recent success at the Olympic Games, where they, alongside the women’s team, showcased remarkable athletic performance.
The anticipation for the State of the Union address, set to take place at 9 p.m. on Tuesday from the U.S. Capitol, remains high. As the teams celebrate their achievements, their absence from the address highlights the ongoing balancing act athletes must perform between their sports commitments and obligations beyond the rink.
While the women’s team has officially declined the invitation, the men’s team’s plans remain under consideration. As the event approaches, more details regarding attendance are expected to unfold.
Source: Original Reporting
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