Team USA hockey star lifts lid on why he snubbed – Sports News
Team USA hockey star Jake Guentzel has clarified why he declined President Donald Trump’s White House invitation following his gold medal victory on the Winter Olympics.
Most of the Team USA squad visited the White House on Tuesday and obtained recognition during Trump’s State of the Union tackle to Congress. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was offered with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his excellent efficiency that helped neutralize Team Canada.
“The White House stuff, it was just kind of a timing thing for me and my family,” he defined. “I was definitely not denying the request to go.
“A dream come true to go, I used to be lucky to go in 2017 when Trump was in workplace. Just thought with the video games, we have got a lot of video games coming up the remaining of the yr, going to be a robust schedule.”
“Two weeks and the Olympic break, thought it could be good simply to come back home, relaxation and get better, attempt to spend some time with my household earlier than we get going. That’s the place I’m at with it.”
Guentzel, an NHL participant for the Tampa Bay Lightning, was amongst 5 athletes who opted out of the Washington journey. He was joined by Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks), and Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars).
Following their gold medal victory in males’s hockey on Sunday, the Team USA squad jetted to Miami, celebrating at E11even nightclub on Monday evening, earlier than parting methods on Tuesday.
Whilst most of his teammates made their option to Washington, Guentzel selected to go back to Tampa Bay. The Lightning are set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, although head coach Jon Cooper might be absent from the bench.
Cooper, who served as Team Canada’s head coach in Milan, suffered a personal loss when his father handed away shortly after the gold medal recreation. The Lightning coach has taken a go away of absence, inflicting him to overlook two upcoming video games.
Although the Lightning face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, Cooper is anticipated to be back for Saturday’s matchup in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres. Guentzel’s choice to skip the White House go to is partly attributed to the demanding schedule with the Lightning.
Notably, Guentzel has beforehand visited the White House, having met President Trump there in 2017 following his Stanley Cup victory with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The ahead joined the Lightning on the outset of the 2024-25 NHL season.
The Lightning are commanding the Atlantic Division and are thought of a reliable Stanley Cup contender for this season. Cooper has been on the helm of Tampa Bay for 13 years, guiding the Lightning to 2 Stanley Cup victories during his tenure.
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