Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the Team USA men’s ice hockey team, in attendance at the State of the Union, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to honor Hellebuyck during the address. The nation’s highest civilian honor, Hellebuyck will become the first hockey player to receive the Medal of Freedom.
Hellebuyck was nearly perfect in the gold medal game against Canada, making 41 saves in the dramatic 2-1 overtime win. Hellebuyck, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets, helped the Americans to win their first gold medal since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ in 1980 at Lake Placid, New York.
President Trump said he asked members of the U.S. team to vote on whether or not Hellebuyck should be awarded the coveted Presidential Medal of Freedom, which has since resulted in the presentation of the award.
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“I’ll soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor – it’s been given to many athletes over the years,” Trump said. “When I say many, not too many – like 12. It’s the highest civilian honor in the country – the Presidential Medal of Freedom … Great athletes have gotten that very great, the best. And I thought he deserved it. And I did take a vote, the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear based on their vote and my vote, and in this case, my vote was more important, that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor.”
Naturally, Trump’s comments begs the question: Which other athletes have received the award?
Athletes awards Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump
The connection between sports and the Presidential Medal of Freedom dates back to 1963 and the inaugural list of recipients.
Among the first 31 recipients, as selected by President John F. Kennedy and awarded by President Lyndon B. Johnson, was renowned swimming coach Robert J.H. Kiphuth. The first athlete awarded the honor was track and field star Jesse Owens who received it in 1976 from President Gerald Ford.
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Hellebuyck, in addition to becoming the first hockey player to receive the award, will be the 15th sports figure to receive the honor from President Trump.
| Athlete/Coach | Sport | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck | Hockey | 2026 |
| Babe Didrikson Zaharias | Golf | 2021 |
| Annika Sorenstam | Golf | 2021 |
| Gary Player | Golf | 2021 |
| Lou Holtz | Football | 2020 |
| Dan Gable | Wrestling | 2020 |
| Jim Ryun | Track & Field | 2020 |
| Roger Penske | Auto Racing | 2019 |
| Mariano Rivera | Baseball | 2019 |
| Bob Cousy | Basketball | 2019 |
| Jerry West | Basketball | 2019 |
| Tiger Woods | Golf | 2019 |
| Roger Staubach | Football | 2018 |
| Babe Ruth | Baseball | 2018 |
| Alan Page | Football | 2018 |
Curious to see the entire list of names? Here is every single recipient.
No date has been officially announced for Hellebuyck to receive the award.
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