Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sun Feb 15, 2026 in Milan Italy (AP News photo)

American Ice Hockey Olympic star awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

On July 7, 2022, President Joe Biden awarded Simone Biles the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her athletic achievements, winning the Gold Medal at the Olympics, the nation’s highest civilian honor. American Olympic stars who made the country proud are favorites for US Presidents to present this type of award, and it happens more often than most people think.

Most recently Connor Hellebuyck , the goalie for the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as announced to the nation by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, his first in his second term.

Hellebuyck made 41 saves to lead Team USA to a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the gold medal game of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter The American team’s defense was key in their victory during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Hellebuyck’s performance was crucial in securing the U.S. men’s team’s first Olympic gold since 1980, stopping 41 of 42 shots.

The now world-famous goalie Hellebuyck (#37) is the primary starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets as of February 2026, known for his elite, award-winning play and recent Olympic participation. Hellebuyck is recognized as one of the top goalies in the NHL, having won multiple Vezina Trophies.

If you wonder why it is uncommon for a sitting US President to give an award to a US athlete, is this unusual? It is not, in fact, the previous US President, Joe Biden, who also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to US Olympic hero Simone Biles and others, such as world-famous chef José Andrés.

The President of the United States can award this medal to any American who contributes to the United States in any walk of life, for his/her contributions to the country. Although Hellebuyck plays professionally for the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL, he is an American who was born in Michigan.

The recipient of this award must be born in the US. Of the 32 National Hockey League teams (considered the premier professional league in this sport in the world), seven (7) are based in Canada. Hellebuycks’s Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Montréal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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