President awards Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom after a 41-save, gold-medal performance; bettors might see Hellebuyck-related props (save totals, season awards) and Team USA goaltending futures shorten as his public profile and market value spike.
Connor Hellebuyck to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom After Olympic Heroics
President Donald Trump announced during the State of the Union that Team USA men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom following his game-changing performance in the Olympic gold-medal match. Hellebuyck’s night capped a historic run and drew national attention with 20 of the 25 team members present for the announcement.
All-time goaltending performance in a 2-1 overtime classic
Hellebuyck backstopped the United States to a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada, stopping a record 41 of 42 shots in the gold-medal game. It marked the U.S. men’s first Olympic hockey gold in 46 years and immediately etched Hellebuyck’s name into the sport’s highlight reels.
Player and public reaction
Brady Tkachuk hailed the performance as generational, calling it “an all-time performance from a superstar at his position.” The national spotlight and the presidential honor amplify Hellebuyck’s legacy and raise his profile across hockey and broader sports conversations.
How rare is an Olympian’s Presidential Medal of Freedom?
Only a handful of athletes have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom primarily for Olympic achievements. While 19 Olympians, coaches and sports figures have earned the award, very few were honored chiefly for a single Olympic performance; most recipients combined Olympic success with broader career accomplishments.
Jesse Owens
Owens dominated the 1936 Berlin Games with golds in the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay, defying Nazi racial ideology. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976.
Simone Biles
The most decorated American gymnast, Biles holds 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. Honored with the Medal of Freedom in 2022, Biles also became a prominent advocate on safety and athlete welfare.
Megan Rapinoe
Rapinoe played a central role in the USWNT’s international dominance, collecting World Cup titles and Olympic hardware while pushing for social change, including equal pay. She was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2022.
Katie Ledecky
Ledecky won nine Olympic golds across four Games and set multiple world records. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 for her sustained excellence and leadership.
What this means for hockey and betting markets
Hellebuyck’s elevated profile could influence public betting markets: increased attention may shorten odds on individual awards and season-long accolades, and drive interest in goalie-specific prop bets (save totals, shutouts).
Connor McDavid Visibly Upset Over Olympic Gold Medal Question
Bettors should watch market movements closely and expect higher wagering volume on anything tied to Hellebuyck or U.S. national-team storylines.
Theathleticuk
