Brady Tkachuk Addresses Trump’s Locker Room Call After Olympic Gold
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has spoken publicly for the first time about the controversial phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to the American men’s hockey team following their gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Tkachuk described the moment as a “whirlwind” and acknowledged the team was caught off guard by some of the President’s remarks.
A Whirlwind Moment
Speaking after practice on Thursday, Tkachuk admitted he didn’t have a clear answer when asked about the call. “Honestly, it was just a whirlwind of a moment,” he said. “You can’t really control what somebody says. It just caught [us] off guard a little bit. When you’re talking to the president 10 minutes after achieving your dream, the fact you’re talking to him, you can really believe where your life’s at…talking to the President of the United States.” Daily Faceoff
Trump’s Invitation and Joke
The call, facilitated through FBI director Kash Patel, included a formal invitation for the men’s team to visit the White House and attend the State of the Union address. President Trump also stated his intention to invite the U.S. Women’s hockey team, who also won gold against Canada. He reportedly joked, “I must tell you…We’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that? … I do believe I probably would be impeached.” Daily Faceoff
Reaction and Context
The President’s comment elicited laughter from some players in the room, but also sparked backlash from fans and commentators. The phone call occurred after a period of heightened tension between the U.S. And Canada, stemming from trade disputes and a contentious 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in 2025, which featured a brawl just nine seconds into a game and instances of national anthem booing. Fox News
Tkachuk on the Significance of the Call
Prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off final, Tkachuk told Fox News Digital that the call was “pretty cool to have a president who cares about our team and wishing us all good luck to get the job done.” He added that it created pressure but also underscored the weight of representing the country. “You just realize you’re not just playing for the group, you’re playing for the people that got you there, you’re playing for the people that protect us every single day. It’s bigger than the game, it’s for the whole country.” Fox News
Further Responses
Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. Women’s hockey team, has also responded to President Trump’s comment, describing it as “distasteful.” MSN