US women's hockey team won't commit to White House visit

The gold medal-winning U.S. women's hockey team remained noncommittal on Wednesday to a White House visit following President Donald Trump's comment that it will be happening "soon."

Trump noted the women's team's accomplishment while paying tribute on Tuesday night at the State of the Union to the U.S. men's team, which also beat Canada in overtime at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Several members of the men's team were in attendance and received a standing ovation, and Trump announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of country's highest civilian honors.

"They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime as everybody saw," Trump said of the men's team. "As did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House."

The U.S. men's team was invited to the State of the Union following the 2-1 victory on Sunday, while the women, who had won gold last Thursday and stayed through Sunday's closing ceremony, declined because of "previously scheduled academic and professional commitments."

"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," a USA Hockey spokesperson said Monday. "They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."

Similar reasoning was given on Wednesday.

"Players are back competing with their professional and collegiate teams and are in the midst of their season," USA Hockey said in a statement on Wednesday. "They're honored and grateful to be invited and any opportunity to visit the White House as a team will be based on their schedule once their seasons conclude."

The women's team included several college players and PWHL players whose seasons are ongoing.

Trump's congratulatory call to the men's team, via FBI Director Kash Patel in the men's locker room, included the president saying, "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team. You do know that?"

Trump then joked, "I do believe I probably would be impeached" if he didn't invite the women.

--Field Level Media