Connor Hellebuyck to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump Following Olympics Triumph

Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for his performance in the Winter Olympics.

Connor Hellebuyck to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump Following Olympics Triumph

Connor Hellebuyck and Donald Trump (Image via BroBible/6ABC)

On Sunday, Connor Hellebuyck and Team USA broke a 46-year drought for an Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey. Two days after that triumph, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his amazing performance in the final.

The Winnipeg Jets star stood tall in front of the net against Canada in the gold medal match. In an intense game, the goaltender faced 42 shots and managed to save 41 of them.

One of them included an incredible stop to deny Devon Toews. With the scores level at 1-1 in the third period, the 3-time Vezina Trophy winner (accolade given to the best goalie in the league) would sprawl back towards his crease and extend his stick to somehow deny Toews from poking the puck in from close range.

He would even get the assist for the golden goal scored by Jack Hughes in the overtime period. Hellebuyck would get his stick and play it to Hughes, who would then pass it to Zach Werenski.

The Columbus Blue Jackets star would skate away and then pull back the puck to Hughes, who would slot the puck past Jordan Binnington into the back of the net to give the U.S. a historic 2-1 win.

On Tuesday, Hellebuyck and several of his teammates would visit the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. and meet with President Donald Trump. He had extended an invitation to them to join the State of the Union speech on a phone call after their win.

During this speech, the 79-year-old announced that Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

I will soon be presenting Connor (Hellebuyck) with our highest civilian honor which will be given, which has been given to many athletes over the years. But when I say many, not too many, like 12, it’s called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Great athletes have gotten that, very great, the best, and I thought he deserved it.

Donald Trump said regarding Connor Hellebuyck

Athletes like Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Michael Jordan, and Babe Ruth are among 671 individuals who have received this honor. Hellebuyck will be the first hockey star to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Connor Hellebuyck poses with Secretary of Defense plaque

Connor Hellebuyck’s incredible performance in the gold medal match saw Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of War, jokingly call him the “Secretary of Defense.” On Tuesday, the goaltender was seen posing with a plaque regarding that.

Connor Hellebuyck
Connor Hellebuyck (Image via X/@PuckeportNHL)

On his way through the White House, a photo of him would go viral. In that, he would flaunt his gold medal alongside the Secretary of Defense plaque.

It was a dream come true for Hellebuyck and his team as they finally climbed back to the top of the ice hockey mountain. Their win saw them avenge last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off Championship loss against Canada at the TD Garden in Boston.

It’s a dream come true. We grinded, we battled, and this was some of the best and most fun hockey that I’ve ever played.

Connor Hellebuyck said via NBC

Hellebuyck went 5-0-0 in the event, finishing with a .956 Save Percentage and a 1.18 Goals Against Average (GAA). He also made 131 saves while conceding just 6.

The 2024-25 NHL MVP will now turn his attention towards the regular season. For the Jets, the goaltender is 13-16 this season.

The team is currently 7th in the Central Division standings with a 22-26-8 record. They will take on the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.

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