U.S. women's hockey star Kelly Pannek reiterates team missed State of the Union over logistical challenges, not Trump joke
CBS News • • sports
Key Points:
- The U.S. women's Olympic hockey team did not attend President Trump's State of the Union address due to logistical challenges and prior commitments, not because of controversy over the president's joke about inviting them.
- Both the men's and women's teams won gold medals at the Milano Cortina Games, but the men's team received a hero's welcome, including a White House visit and a Medal of Freedom announcement for goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
- The women's team declined the State of the Union invitation, citing academic and professional obligations, with many players already returning to their respective teams for practice.
- President Trump's jokes about inviting the women's team during a video call with the men's team sparked backlash, with men's backup goalie Jeremy Swayman acknowledging the team should have responded
