If it were a week ago, I could confidently say that hockey is just on a positive winning streak in the past couple of months. With the rising popularity of the new television show, “Heated Rivalry,” that had everyone talking, bringing new and positive representation to the LGBTQ+ Community, hockey seems to be getting a better representation in the public eye for modern audiences. Gone are the days in which hockey was just a boring, male dominated sport only for the selected few, for we seem to be entering a time in which hockey can be enjoyed, watched, and designated for everyone. And with the recent Olympic gold win for the men’s hockey team, the popularity of the sport seems to be on a progressive rise…
A progressive rise that came crashing down a few days ago… Yes, for all the good that has happened for the sport of hockey, I only took one thing to shatter the new image created for hockey. And who do we have to thank but, of course, the male US hockey team.
Winning against the Canadian team 2-1 in overtime, the U.S. men’s hockey team took home the gold on Feb. 22, 2026. Following the win, the team was then invited to attend a formal visit to the White House to celebrate their victory against the Canadian team by President Trump. However, Trump continued to joke about inviting the women’s hockey team since they too were victorious in winning gold, causing most member of the team to either laugh or not comment on the offensive joke.
Stirring much backlash and controversy, the public was quick to vocalize their opinion on the recent matter concerning the team. While little anger is directed at the joke itself, many people are upset and disgusted by the actions of the team, their laughing seeming to tolerate and even encourage the joke against the women’s hockey team. Additionally, many people are further disgusted because the male hockey team’s reaction appears to directly disrespect the efforts and hard work of the women’s hockey team, despite their equally important first-place win.
Very vocal about the recent news, the captain of the U.S. women’s hockey team, Hiliary Knight, responded in a statement in which she disclosed how “distasteful” the comment was against her and her teammates. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, Knight said, “I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate, and I think just the way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point to really shine light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats.”
And, I guess, trying to do damage control, one of the players from the male U.S. hockey team made a statement concerning the joke and the team’s reaction. Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal for the team, recently said, “People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them, and we know the same way we feel about them; they feel about us.”
Yeah, probably not the right move there… To summarize the thoughts of a lot of people based on what Hughes said, all I can say is: Wow, way to dance around the issue! Instead of seeing the harm and pain that the joke caused, he simply just brushed it off like an afterthought. No apology and no recognition of fault or blame, just a simple comment that basically disregards the entire thing. I mean, my main strife is the lack of apology. And not just from Hughes, but the entire team! To say that I am shocked would be a lie. I guess I’m just disappointed. This goes to show that women can do the exact same thing and obtain the exact same reward as a man, but their accomplishments will still be less than a man’s…
Give it up for the male U.S. Hockey team. I can’t wait to see what happens for Women’s History Month!
