NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman refrained from commenting on the political implications of the U.S. hockey celebration at the Milan-Cortina Olympics but expressed his disappointment with the portrayal, deeming it “unfortunate and inaccurate.” Bettman clarified that the men’s team had no intention of disrespecting the women’s team and highlighted that both teams were united in their chants of “Two for two.”
Both the men’s and women’s U.S. hockey teams clinched Olympic gold with thrilling 2-1 overtime victories against Canada. Following the men’s triumph on February 22, the players were visited in the locker room by FBI director Kash Patel and received a congratulatory speakerphone call from former President Donald Trump. Trump extended an invitation for the team to attend his state of the union address, jokingly mentioning the necessity of inviting the women’s team to avoid impeachment repercussions, which sparked controversy and laughter among the players.
Bettman expressed regret over the misrepresentation of the incident and defended the mutual respect between the two teams, referencing statements from U.S. women’s captain Hilary Knight and others affirming the camaraderie shared during the Games.
The American hockey squads bonded closely in the athletes’ village and supported each other throughout their quest for gold. Notably, the women’s team did not receive a presidential call or immediate White House invitation, declining the offer due to pre-arranged travel logistics. Several men’s players later visited the White House and were honored during a speech at the Capitol.
In other news, Bettman remained tight-lipped on the bids to host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, refraining from speculation on potential host cities for the prestigious international tournament. The World Cup of Hockey, which showcases top players competing under their national flags, has not been held since 2016 when Canada triumphed over Team Europe.
When questioned about a joint bid from Calgary and Edmonton, Bettman acknowledged awareness of the bid but withheld specifics on the nature and origin of the proposal. Hosting the tournament in Calgary would coincide with the completion of its new arena, providing an exciting prospect for hockey fans in the region.