Kelly Panek, a standout in U.S. women’s hockey, clarified on Tuesday that the team’s absence from President Trump’s State of the Union address was due to logistical challenges. She mentioned that a joke made during a video call with the men’s team was unrelated to their absence.
Panek, a member of the Olympic gold medal-winning squad, acknowledged the hurdles they faced but confirmed that future invitations had been extended.
“I believe every Team USA player will eventually be invited to the White House, similar to what has happened before,” Panek stated, practicing with a professional team in Minneapolis.
When asked about her hopes for a White House invitation for the women’s team, Panek expressed, “It was an incredible experience for us. Winning a team gold medal for USA Hockey is something we’d never accomplished before.”
As noted previously, both U.S. hockey teams created history in Milan by besting Canada for the gold medal, marking the first Winter Olympics since 1980 where both teams clinched victory.
While the men’s team quickly accepted invitations to the White House and the State of the Union, a representative for the women’s team initially declined due to scheduling conflicts.
“We truly appreciate the invitation to acknowledge the U.S. women’s gold medal-winning hockey team and are very thankful for their impressive achievements,” a USA Hockey spokesperson commented. “Due to the timing and existing academic and professional commitments post-Olympics, the athletes won’t be able to attend.”
The spokesperson added, “They are very honored to be recognized.”
After the men’s gold medal game, President Trump personally called the team to congratulate them and encouraged them to host an event in Washington, D.C., which drew some criticism.
“I must say, we need to bring the women’s team along, you know that,” President Trump joked while extending the invitation. He quipped that not inviting them might lead to his impeachment, causing laughter among the players.
Panek remarked that during her time in Italy, both the men’s and women’s teams shared a strong sense of camaraderie, likening it to family with mutual respect.
“I truly felt that bond with the U.S. team. That’s one of the best parts of being at the Olympics.”
According to the Associated Press, the earliest the U.S. women may visit the White House is late spring, after the PWHL season concludes.
The United States secured a total of 12 gold medals at the Milan-Cortina Games, with women athletes winning eight of those. The women’s hockey team notably outscored their rivals 33-2, triumphantly reaching the top podium.
