Matthew Tkachuk, U.S. mens hockey gold medalist and Florida Panthers star, brushed off criticism around the national teams decision to visit President at the White House.
Tkachuk appeared on “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” and touched on the criticism he and his teammates received over their celebration in the locker room and their decision to fly to Washington, D.C., to see Trump and attend his State of the Union address.
“For us, theres gonna be criticism for everything weve done â all of the partying weve done, all the fun weve been having,” he said. “But weve earned the right to have the greatest time and the greatest celebration. Of course, one of the first invites we get is from the . It was the quickest yes ever.”
Tkachuk said the team would have gone to the White House no matter who was presiding over the country.
“It doesnt matter who was president,” he continued. “We are getting invited as Team USA to go to the White House and represent the sport of hockey, represent USA hockey, be representatives of Americans. What an honor this is.”
Not every member of the U.S. mens hockey team went to the White House, as some cited constraints with resuming the as the playoffs neared.
Tkachuk has been to the White House a few times since Trump began his second term in office. He and celebrated their Stanley Cup title victories at the White House as well.
Team USA defeated Canada in overtime to win the gold medal.
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