Olympic gold medalist and Vezina winner Hellebuyck receives America's highest civilian honour for his historic Olympic performance.
Winnipeg Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was on hand for the United States National Team's visit to the White House on Tuesday evening following their gold medal-winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
And he's probably glad he didn't dodge the invitation to the State of the Union address.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced during his speech that he would later be presenting the league's reigning Hart Trophy winner with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour to be bestowed upon an American citizen.
Photo by Dylan Larkin"Great athletes have gotten that, very great, the best," Trump told the public. "I thought he deserved it. I did take a vote -- every single one of them. I said, 'I'm not giving it if anybody goes "no,''' and every single one of them rapidly put up their hand. So, I want to thank you all. What a special job you did. What special champions you are."
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner made 41 stops on the 42 shots he faced in the gold medal game - including many 10-bell, desperation stops in the game's second half - to help secure the United States' 2-1 overtime victory over Canada, and America's first international championship since 1980 in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Hellebuyck will become the 672nd individual to receive the honour and the first professional hockey player. Only 12 other athletes have been bestowed with the honour. They are: Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Billie Jean King, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Megan Rapinoe, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Jackie Robinson, Pat Summitt and Jesse Owens.
While most players were in attendance for the White House visit, Hellebuyck's Jets teammate Kyle Connor opted to travel directly home to Winnipeg to spend time with family prior to heading out on the road for the Jets' upcoming three-game road trip through Vancouver and California.
Hellebuyck, who will not be present with his NHL club on Wednesday in Vancouver, is expected to rejoin teammates in Anaheim on Thursday, according to Jets head coach Scott Arniel.
For Hellebuyck, the thought of heading back to Winnipeg is on his mind, but it's pushed a bit further back following the Olympic stretch.
“I’ll take a day. I need a day after this whirlwind," Hellebuyck told FOX News prior to the White House visit on Tuesday.
"Mentally, this is going to be hard to get back in it. I need at least 24 hours to wrap my brain around this because this has been not only the most fun experience in my life, but you just see the pride in this country, and everyone that had our back and we had their back and there’s just so much more.
"It’s bigger than the game of hockey, and being able to go back. I know my city loves me in Winnipeg and I'm really looking forward to try to bring some joy back to that city as well and hopefully chasing a Cup, but in this moment, as I speak to you now, I am really enjoying every day and every second that I have.”
Regular backup goaltender Eric Comrie will get the start in Vancouver on Wednesday, while Domenic DiVincentiis will serve as the No. 2. Hellebuyck will likely get the nod on Friday night vs. the Ducks.