India, Feb. 25 -- US President Donald Trump announced during his State of the Union address that Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The United States' highest civilian honor is being proposed in recognition of his standout performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

During the address, Trump praised Hellebuyck's role in the Americans' gold-medal victory, including a decisive save in the championship game against Canada. He told lawmakers he would "soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor," noting the award has been bestowed on only a select number of athletes.

Members of the gold medal-winning US men's hockey team were recognized at the Capitol and received a standing o...