Team USA ice hockey goaltender Jeremy Swayman admitted to reporters on Wednesday that the men’s hockey team should have “reacted differently” to President Donald Trump’s joke about inviting the women’s team to the White House, after both teams won gold medals at the Olympics.
Swayman, who joined the team in visiting the White House and attending the State of the Union on Tuesday, returned to Boston on Wednesday to resume his NHL season with the Bruins.
“We should’ve reacted differently,” Swayman told reporters. “We know that we are so excited for the women’s team. We have so much respect for the women’s team, and to share that gold medal with them is something we’re forever grateful for.”
Shortly after beating Canada’s hockey team in overtime for the United States’s first gold medal in Hockey since the Miracle on Ice in 1980, the team came under fire for a viral video taken from inside the locker room on a call with Trump.
The video shows FBI Director Kash Patel on speakerphone with Trump as he congratulates the team on their win in the locker room. Trump invited the team to the White House and the State of the Union address during the call, and joked that he would have to invite the women’s team, too.
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Both the women’s and men’s teams defeated Canada in overtime to win gold.
Unlike the men’s team, the women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union, citing previously scheduled commitments as the reason behind the decision.
The U.S. women’s team announced the decision in a statement Monday, saying it is “sincerely grateful” for the invitation and appreciates the recognition.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate,” the statement reads. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
Swayman said that now that both teams have returned to the United States, they can share their gold medal experiences together.
“We get to share that together forever and see the incredible support we have from the USA and sharing this incredible gold medal,” he said.
Five members from the men’s hockey team did not go to Washington after celebrating their win in Miami on Monday night, including defenseman Jackson LaCombe, goaltender Jake Oettinger, and forwards Brock Nelson, Jake Guentzel, and Kyle Connor.
Guentzel, who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning, said he decided not to join the team for the White House visit because of “timing,” but he said it was an honor to be there in 2017 after winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins during Trump’s first administration.
“It happens to be a dream come true to go, I was fortunate to go in 2017 when Trump was in office,” Guentzel told reporters. “Thought it would be good to come home, rest and recover, and try to spend some time with my family before we get going.”
The reasons for some of the players’ lack of attendance remain unclear, but the NHL has been on hiatus since Feb. 5 so players could represent their teams at the Olympics.
NHL games will resume Wednesday night, one day after the State of the Union and three days after the men’s hockey team won their gold medal.
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Swayman said it was an “incredible honor” to visit the White House and attend the State of the Union.
“We’re there to represent our country, celebrate the gold medal for the United States, and that was something we really embodied,” Swayman said. “We’re really grateful to be a part of.”