All but five members of the gold medal-winning USA men’s ice hockey team toured the White House and visited with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Feb. 24 ahead of planned attendance at Trump’s State of the Union address later Tuesday night.
The gold medal-winning women’s ice hockey team received the same invite, but will not be in attendance, USA Hockey said Monday, citing “timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” as the reason.
Here’s more information regarding why only the men’s team will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night:
A USA Hockey spokesperson said the women’s team did receive an invitation but wouldn’t be able to attend Tuesday’s events.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” the spokesperson said. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
The U.S. women beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim the gold medal.
President Donald Trump called the men’s team after their 2-1 overtime win on Sunday and invited those players to the State of the Union and a White House visit, offering to transport them on a military plane.
He also said on the call, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?”
The president added, jokingly, “I do believe I probably would be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team.
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