Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor has opted out of a White House visit following Team USA’s Olympic gold medal triumph, prioritizing the NHL season instead.
Connor appeared in the first two games of the Milano Cortina tournament but was later listed as a healthy scratch. After Team USA clinched gold, several teammates were invited to celebrate with President Donald Trump, but Connor chose not to attend.
Speaking via comments shared by Murat Ates on X, Connor explained: “I’m just getting ready. We play on Wednesday. It’s a big second half, so I just wanted to make sure I was ready.”
The team’s White House celebration sparked online criticism, especially regarding Trump’s comments about the Women’s National Team.
Connor, however, said he had little reaction to the controversy: “I don’t really have any thoughts on that. There’s so many things happening. We just won the gold medal, and things are going on, so I don’t really remember what he said. It’s such a whirlwind, just celebrating.”
With the Olympics behind him, Connor now turns his attention back to helping the Jets in the ongoing NHL season.
