NHL Star Expresses Regret Over Team's Response to Presidential Joke
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has publicly apologised for how he and his United States Olympic teammates reacted to President Donald Trump's locker-room joke about the US women's hockey team. The incident occurred during a celebratory phone call following the men's gold medal victory over Canada last Sunday.
"Certainly Sorry for How We Responded"
"Certainly sorry for how we responded to it in that moment," McAvoy told assembled media in Boston on Thursday after returning from Team USA's gold-medal celebration in Washington. "You know, things just happened really quick there."
The controversy emerged days after the US women's dramatic overtime victory against Canada secured Olympic gold in Milan. When the American men followed suit with their own gold medal win, President Trump called the locker room to offer congratulations and extend a White House invitation.
The Controversial Presidential Remark
During that call, Trump cautioned the men's team: "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that," before adding the joke that sparked controversy: "I do believe I probably would be impeached."
Viral video quickly surfaced showing the American players laughing at the President's comment, a reaction McAvoy now acknowledges was inappropriate given their longstanding support for women's hockey.
McAvoy's Perspective on the Incident
"If you know the men's team, and if you know the relationships that we have, the amount of time that we've spent with the women's team and how we've supported them, it's certainly not reflective of how we feel and look at them and their accomplishments," McAvoy explained.
From his perspective, the momentary reaction he and his teammates displayed contradicted years of genuine support for women's hockey and the strong relationships built between the national teams.
Teammates Echo Similar Sentiments
Bruins and Team USA goaltender Jeremy Swayman shared comparable feelings with reporters a day earlier. "We should've reacted differently," Swayman admitted in Boston on Wednesday. "We know that we are so excited for the women's team. We have so much respect for the women's team, and to share that gold medal with them is something that we're forever grateful for."
Swayman added that now the teams are home, they can properly celebrate their shared achievement and appreciate the incredible support from across the United States.
Women's Team Captain Offers Understanding
US women's team captain Hilary Knight, whose late equalizer against Canada enabled the dramatic overtime victory, described the situation with understanding. "I think there's a genuine level of support there and respect," Knight told reporters. "I think that's being overshadowed by a quick lapse. I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it's a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up."
Knight, a two-time gold medalist, characterised Trump's joke as "distasteful and unfortunate," but emphasised that the connection and mutual support between the men's and women's teams remains strong.
Post-Victory Celebrations and White House Visit
McAvoy was among twenty members of the men's team who visited President Trump at the White House and attended the State of the Union address on Tuesday night in Washington. Their celebrations included partying in Miami, where their departing flight from Milan was diverted due to last weekend's severe blizzard along the Atlantic Coast.
While the White House extended an invitation to the women's team as well, they declined citing scheduling conflicts, allowing the focus to remain on their remarkable Olympic achievements rather than political controversies.
