Team USA gold medal winner Jake Guentzel declined Donald Trump’s invite to the State of the Union address as he prepares to return to NHL action.
On Sunday, the United States edged Canada with a 2-1 victory following Jack Hughes’ dramatic goal in overtime. The stunning result saw Team USA clinch its first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since 1980, with even FBI Director Kash Patel joining the party as players made it clear what they thought of his presence.
Gold marks a monumental milestone for the United States. Following their stunning success, the players even received a celebratory call from President Trump, who invited the team to his State of the Union address on Tuesday. But they were slammed for their ‘shameful’ response to a ‘sexist’ joke made by the President.
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When inviting the the men’s team to his State of the Union address in Washington, Trump joked he would be impeached if the women’s team weren’t invited too, quipping: “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.”
The women’s team, which also won gold, was invited but declined, citing scheduling reasons. It appears to be a similar reason why Guentzel won’t be in attendance, too, despite being given blessing to attend.
The 31-year-old made the trip back to Tampa after Team USA returned from Milan, landing in Miami. He is now back with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NHL franchise did clear him to attend Trump’s address in Washington, D.C.
However, Guentzel chose to rejoin his team. He wasn’t on the ice on Tuesday, but could play when the Lightning take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Benchmark International Arena on Wednesday.
Jake Guentzel played a key role for Team USA, helping the program win a first hockey gold for 46 years(Image: Getty Images)
Guentzel was a key piece of the U.S. Olympic champions. He played as a top-six forward, usually on a line with captain Auston Matthews and Matt Boldy, who scored the first goal in the gold medal game.
There is no official reason given for Guentzel’s absence. Given that the Lightning are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference coming out of the Olympic break, he may simply just have his eyes on winning a Stanley Cup.
Guentzel won a championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined the Lightning before the 2024-25 season, when Guentzel had 80 points in 80 games (41 goals, 39 assists). This season, Guentzel has featured in 55 games and tallied 60 points (26 goals with 34 assists).
It seems Guentzel won’t be the only Team USA star absent from Trump’s State of the Union address. His teammate Kyle Connor will also not be present, with the winger instead deciding to return to the Winnipeg Jets.
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