The gold medal-winning United States women’s hockey team has declined an offer by the White House to attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address, citing ‘timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments’ as the reason.
The women’s team beat Canada for the gold medal in a come-from-behind 2-1 overtime victory in which Hilary Knight broke U.S. Olympic scoring records and Megan Keller scored the winning goal.
The USA men’s team made it 2-for-2 when it beat Canada for a gold medal on Sunday.
President Donald Trump called the men’s team afterward and invited those players to the State of the Union and a White House visit, offering to transport them on a military plane.
He also said on the call, ‘I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?’
The president added, jokingly, ‘I do believe I probably would be impeached’ if he didn’t invite the women’s team.
A USA Hockey spokesperson said the women’s team did receive an invitation but wouldn’t be able to attend.
‘We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,’ the spokesperson said. ‘Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.’
The Professional Women’s Hockey League has games on Thursday and the college hockey players on the USA team have games on Friday. The NHL season resumes on Wednesday.
This story was updated to add new information.