Winter Olympics star breaks silence on snubbing Donald Trump invitation | Other | Sport
Jake Guentzel (right) explained his decision to skip the White House invitation. (Image: Getty Images)
Team USA star Jake Guentzel has revealed why he declined Donald Trump’s White House invitation following his gold medal triumph in the men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics. On Tuesday, the majority of the Team USA squad met with Trump at the White House before receiving recognition during his State of the Union address to Congress.
Team USA goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom following his outstanding performances that helped defeat Team Canada. Nevertheless, five Team USA players opted out of the White House invitation, with all of them preparing for NHL fixtures on Wednesday.
Several players who attended the White House are also due to feature on Wednesday, Guentzel clarified his decision.
“The White House stuff, it was just kind of a timing thing for me and my family,” he said. “I was definitely not denying the request to go.
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“A dream come true to go, I was fortunate to go in 2017 when Trump was in office. Just thought with the games, we’ve got a lot of games coming up the rest of the year, going to be a tough schedule.”
“Two weeks and the Olympic break, thought it would be good just to come home, rest and recover, try to spend some time with my family before we get going. That’s where I’m at with it.”
Guentzel, who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL, was among five players who did not travel to Washington. Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks), and Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) were the others.
Following their gold medal triumph in men’s hockey on Sunday, the Team USA squad flew to Miami and celebrated at E11even nightclub on Monday evening. On Tuesday, team members then went their separate ways.
Jake Guentzel in action during the gold medal match. (Image: Getty)
Whilst the bulk of the squad headed to Washington, Guentzel stayed in Florida and returned home to Tampa Bay. The Lightning host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, though head coach Jon Cooper will be absent from the team bench.
Cooper served as Team Canada head coach in Milan, but his father died shortly after the gold medal match. Cooper, who also manages the Lightning, will miss the next two fixtures after taking a leave of absence.
The Lightning face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, but Cooper is expected to return for Saturday’s match against the Buffalo Sabres.
Part of Guentzel’s rationale for declining the White House invitation was the demanding schedule with the Lightning.
Guentzel previously met President Trump at the White House in 2017, following his Stanley Cup victory with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Team USA forward joined the Lightning at the beginning of the 2024-25 NHL season.
The Lightning are commanding the Atlantic Division and are regarded as legitimate Stanley Cup challengers this campaign. Cooper has been at the helm of Tampa Bay for 13 years and has guided the Lightning to two Stanley Cup triumphs during that period.
This article first appeared on Mirror US.
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