Who's Connor Hellebuyck? Crew USA goalie to obtain Presidential Medal of Freedom

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President Donald Trump introduced throughout the State of the Union deal with that Crew USA males's hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will obtain the Presidential Medal of Freedom after anchoring the group's gold medal victory within the Milan Cortina Olympics.

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U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union deal with within the Home Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. (REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

Throughout the gold medal game victory over Canada, Hellebuyck collected 41 saves to assist maintain the sport tied at 1-1, forcing time beyond regulation. Jack Hughes in the end scored the game-winner previous Canada’s netminder Jordan Binnington.

One in every of Hellebuyck’s saves noticed him in some way cease a wide-open Devon Toews shot in entrance of his crease with solely his stick, turning shortly along with his proper hand to cease the puck and maintain the sport tied within the second interval. With out that save, and plenty of others, the consequence could have been completely different.

Connor Hellebuyck of Crew United States saves the shot taken by Devon Toews #7 of Crew Canada within the third interval throughout the Males's Gold Medal match between Canada and the USA on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic video games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Area on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)

United States Secretary of Struggle Pete Hegseth even gave his previous title, Secretary of Protection, to Hellebuyck for his efficiency.

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Goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck of United States celebrates profitable the gold medal throughout the Ice Hockey Males's Gold Medal Sport match between Canada and USA on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic video games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Area on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Photographs)

Hellebuyck helped the U.S. make historical past as the primary group because the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" squad to win Olympic gold. Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal to strike gold in Milan, and it’s been a celebration ever since for Crew USA.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities reporter for Fox Information Digital protecting crucial political and cultural points in sports activities, with an investigative lens. Jackson's reporting has been cited in federal authorities actions associated to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media shops together with The New York Instances, The Los Angeles Instances, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Related Press and ESPN.com.