Team USA star snubbed Donald Trump invite after – Sports News
Team USA gold medalist Jake Guentzel turned down President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the State of the Union deal with, favoring rejoining NHL motion as an alternative.
The United States narrowly defeated Canada 2-1, due to Jack Hughes’ dramatic extra time purpose, securing Team USA‘s first Winter Olympic gold in males’s hockey since 1980. Following their exceptional triumph, President Trump personally known as the group to congratulate them and prolonged an invitation to his State of the Union deal with on Tuesday.
The girls’s group, who additionally claimed gold, was prolonged the identical invitation however declined, citing scheduling conflicts — a purpose that seems to use to Guentzel as nicely, regardless of receiving clearance to attend.
The 31-year-old traveled back to Tampa after Team USA’s return from Milan, touching down in Miami. Although his NHL franchise, the Tampa Bay Lightning, gave him the inexperienced mild to attend Trump’s deal with in Washington DC, Guentzel opted to deal with his return to the ice.
Guentzel, nevertheless, opted to return to his group, citing that it was a ‘timing issue’ and that he wished to be back together with his household, having met the president earlier than. While he sat out Tuesday’s recreation, he could also be back in motion when the Lightning face the Toronto Maple Leafs at Benchmark International Arena on Wednesday.
Guentzel performed a essential position for the US Olympic gold medal winners. He skated as a top-six ahead, steadily lined up with captain Auston Matthews and Matt Boldy, who netted the opening purpose within the championship match.
No official clarification has been supplied for Guentzel’s absence. With the Lightning holding the Eastern Conference’s high seed heading into the post-Olympic schedule, he could merely be prioritizing a Stanley Cup victory.
Guentzel beforehand captured a championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He signed with the Lightning forward of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, after recording 80 factors throughout 80 video games (41 targets, 39 assists).
This 12 months, Guentzel has appeared in 55 contests and amassed 60 factors (26 targets with 34 assists).
It seems Guentzel will not be alone amongst Team USA stars skipping Trump’s State of the Union deal with. His teammate Kyle Connor will likewise be absent, with the winger selecting as an alternative to rejoin the Winnipeg Jets.
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