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Trump says he’ll give the Medal of Freedom to Team USA hockey goalie

0224_APTOPIX State of the Union_AP Members of the United States' hockey team attend as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

(AP) - President Donald Trump announced that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Team USA hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

The president made the announcement during his State of the Union address Tuesday night.

“I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor,” the president said.

Members of the United States' hockey team attend as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump said the award has been given to “many athletes over the years.”

Hellebuyck made 41 saves, many of them spectacular, during the United States’ 2-1 victory over Canada for the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games.

In his first term, Trump honored athletes including golfer Tiger Woods and football players Alan Page and Roger Staubach with the Medal of Freedom. He also awarded it posthumously to baseball great Babe Ruth.

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