Connor Hellebuyck: Hart Trophy winner. Three-time Vezina Trophy winner. Olympic gold medalist. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient?

U.S. president Donald Trump announced during the State of the Union address on Feb. 25, 2026 that he plans to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Jets goaltender after his brilliant 41-save performance helped the United States win it’s first men’s hockey gold medal in 46 years.

Trump announces that Connor Hellebuyck will receive “the highest civilian honor in our country — the Presidential Medal of Freedom” pic.twitter.com/TOt2ejpka5

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2026

The announcement came after members of Team USA received a rousing standing ovation from members of Congress. While Democrats and Republicans in the crowd didn’t agree on much, they seemed to be aligned in wanting to honor Hellebuyck and his teammates two days after they won gold in Milan.

Here’s what you need to know about the Presidential Medal of Freedom and which athletes have received it.

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What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a awarded to “any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to an executive order signed by John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The award is considered the United States’ highest civilian honor and is typically given out in a ceremony at the White House. 

While many of the early recipients were individuals who held political office or military positions, the third and final category of that criteria has more often described recent recipients of the award. Athletes, coaches, actors and musicians have commonly received the Medal of Freedom in the 21st century, with Trump and Barack Obama in particular honoring a significant number of athletes.

Here’s a look at the athletes and coaches who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

MORE: Ranking Connor Hellebuyck’s best saves from gold medal game

How many athletes won Presidential Medal of Freedom?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded to 44 sports figures, including Connor Hellebuyck. That list includes 36 athletes. 

The award didn’t start out as a popular one for athletes and coaches, as only seven sports figures received the Medal of Freedom from its inception under Kennedy through the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency in 2001. George W. Bush more than doubled that number in his eight years in office, and every president since has continued to frequently award athletes with the nation’s highest civilian honor.

MORE: Why Connor McDavid, not Connor Hellebuyck, won Olympic MVP

What athletes have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Of the medal’s 674 recipients, 44 — less than seven percent — are directly tied to sports. Here are the athletes, coaches and more who have received the honor:

Hellebuyck will be the first recipient of the medal directly connected to hockey.

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Presidential Medal of Freedom benefits

The Presidential Medal of Freedom does not come with any additional benefits beyond attending a White House ceremony with the president and being on an exclusive list of less than 1,000 Americans.

No, Hellebuyck will not be able to roam the White House grounds whenever he pleases, nor will he have any special title before his name like some British celebrities do when they are honored by British royals. Still, Hellebuyck is the first of his kind among hockey players just by receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.