Connor Hellebuyck to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Connor Hellebuyck is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom following Team USA’s Olympic success, recognizing the goaltender’s impact on American hockey.
Tee Espy
3/6/20261 min read
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom following Team USA’s gold-medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics. President Donald Trump announced the intent to award Hellebuyck the nation’s highest civilian honor during remarks recognizing the team’s championship performance.¹
Hellebuyck, 32, backstopped the United States to Olympic gold, finishing the tournament with a .931 save percentage and a 1.84 goals-against average across six appearances.² He recorded two shutouts during the medal round, including a 29-save performance in the gold-medal game.²
At the NHL level, Hellebuyck has served as the starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets since 2016. He has surpassed 275 regular-season wins and owns a career save percentage above .915.³ He won the Vezina Trophy in 2020 as the league’s top goaltender and has received multiple All-Star selections.³
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to national interests, security, world peace, or cultural endeavors.¹ The announcement places Hellebuyck among a limited group of professional athletes publicly designated to receive the distinction while still active in competition.
Formal scheduling of the award ceremony has not yet been announced.¹
Sources
1. Presidential remarks recognizing Team USA, February 2026.
2. International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), 2026 Olympic tournament statistics.
3. NHL.com and Pro Hockey Reference, Connor Hellebuyck career statistics.
