The celebratory glow surrounding the U.S. Olympic hockey teams’ gold medal victories at the Milan Cortina Games extended to the set of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, as captain Hilary Knight, teammate Megan Keller, and brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes appeared during host Connor Storrie’s monologue. The appearance, a lighthearted moment for the athletes, also served as a playful commentary on a recent controversy surrounding a congratulatory call from President Trump and the perceived slight towards the women’s team.
Knight, Keller, Jack Hughes, and Quinn Hughes were greeted with a standing ovation as they joined Storrie onstage, each wearing their USA jerseys and displaying their gold medals. The moment was a high point for the athletes, coming after a week of scrutiny over President Trump’s congratulatory call to the men’s team. According to reports, the President initially invited only the men’s team to the State of the Union address, later adding he would have to invite the women as well, a comment that drew criticism for its perceived sexism.
Knight opened with a pointed joke, stating, “It was going to be just us, but we thought we’d invite the guys too.” The remark, as noted by multiple outlets, was a clear reference to the circumstances of the President’s call and the subsequent discussion it sparked. The U.S. Women’s team had politely declined the invitation to the White House and State of the Union, citing previously scheduled commitments and travel plans. The men’s team, however, did attend, a decision that prompted reflection and, in some cases, apologies from players like Jeremy Swayman and Charlie McAvoy, who acknowledged they “should have reacted differently” to the President’s remarks, according to CBS News.
The situation highlighted a disparity in travel arrangements as well. The U.S. Women’s team traveled commercially back to North America, arriving late Monday evening, while the men’s team traveled on a charter flight funded by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association.
Knight herself addressed the situation earlier in the week, describing the President’s joke as “distasteful and unfortunate.” However, she also emphasized the importance of not letting the controversy overshadow the connection and mutual respect between the men’s and women’s teams. “I suppose the guys were in a tough spot,” Knight said, adding, “It’s a shame that this storyline and narrative has blown up and is overshadowing our connection, genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
The “SNL” appearance provided a platform for the athletes to address the situation with humor and grace. Following Quinn Hughes’ comment that the last time the U.S. Men’s hockey team won gold was at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, Knight quipped that the women last won in 2018, earning a laugh from Jack Hughes, who responded with “nice burn.” The exchange underscored the success of both teams and their shared pride in representing the United States.
The context for this lighthearted exchange is the success both teams had on the ice. Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal that secured the men’s gold medal in a 2-1 victory over Canada on February 22nd. Three days prior, Megan Keller scored the overtime winner for the women’s team, also against Canada, in a 2-1 thriller. Hilary Knight tied the game for the women in the final minutes of regulation.
The appearance on “Saturday Night Live” also highlighted the growing popularity of the sport and the athletes themselves. Storrie, the host, noted the significance of having hockey players on the display, particularly given the success of “Heated Rivalry,” the HBO Max series adapted from Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel, which features a gay hockey romance. The show’s creator and director, Jacob Tierney, told “CBS Mornings” that a second season is in the works, with filming expected to start in August.
Knight, despite recently being placed on long-term injured reserve for the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent, made the trip to New York City for the “SNL” appearance. Keller, who plays for Boston, similarly adjusted her schedule, traveling to New York hours after a game with her team in Ottawa. Jack Hughes plays for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and Quinn for the Minnesota Wild.
As the dust settles from the Milan Cortina Games and the ensuing conversations, the U.S. Hockey teams are looking ahead. The PWHL season will continue, and both Knight and Keller will return to their respective teams. The NHL season is also underway, with Jack and Quinn Hughes continuing to lead their teams. The focus now shifts back to the ice, but the impact of their Olympic success, and their willingness to address the recent controversy with humor and grace, will undoubtedly resonate with fans for some time to come.
What comes next for these athletes remains to be seen, but their commitment to their sport and their country is clear. Readers interested in following their careers can find updates on the PWHL and NHL websites.
