Hilary Knight, the renowned U.S. hockey star, recently addressed the media regarding the controversial phone call between the men’s team and President Trump. Knight described the incident as a “quick lapse” and emphasized the importance of focusing on the genuine relationships between the male and female hockey players.
The phone call took place shortly after Jack Hughes scored the winning goal against Canada, during which President Trump joked about being impeached if he didn’t invite the women’s team to the White House following their gold medal win. While the team faced backlash for laughing at the comment, Knight explained that they were put in a difficult position and that the genuine support and respect between the two teams should not be overshadowed by this incident.
Knight highlighted the strong connections formed between the two teams during their time in Milan and expressed her excitement about staying in touch with the male players. She emphasized the importance of recognizing women’s achievements in sports and industry and not allowing them to be overshadowed by anything else.
Kelly Pannek, another member of the women’s team, also shared positive sentiments about her experience with the men’s squad. She acknowledged the support received from the male players throughout the tournament and emphasized the unity and celebration of both teams’ gold medal victories.
Overall, Knight and Pannek’s statements shed light on the genuine relationships and mutual support between the male and female hockey players, urging the public to focus on the positive aspects of their interactions rather than getting caught up in controversy. The incident serves as a learning point to promote equality and celebrate the achievements of women in sports and beyond.

