Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman weighs in on U.S. men’s hockey controversy originally published on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The U.S. men’s hockey team has won its first Olympic gold medal since 1980, which should be a moment of triumph and joy for the players and their compatriots. Instead, it quickly became embroiled in political controversy.
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Shortly after Jack Hughes scored a golden goal in overtime to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada, video surfaced showing the team gathering in the locker room with FBI Director Kash Patel and receiving a congratulatory call via FaceTime from President Donald Trump.
During Trump’s call, he appeared to take aim at the U.S. women’s hockey team, which also won the gold medal days earlier.
“I have to tell you, we have to bring the women’s team. You know what?” President Trump said, drawing laughter from the men’s team. “Had they not been invited, I believe I could have been impeached.”
There has been backlash over the past few days for President Trump’s comments and players’ reactions. Some critics interpreted President Trump’s comments as sexist and misogynistic, while others accused the players of mocking them.
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Most of the men’s team visited the White House on Tuesday to meet with President Trump and attend his State of the Union address. The women’s team did not attend, declining President Trump’s invitation.
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Silverman, who plays for Team USA, addressed the controversy to reporters on Wednesday.
“We should have responded differently. We know that,” Swayman said. “We are very excited for the women’s team. We have a lot of respect for the women’s team. Sharing the gold medal with them is something we are forever grateful for.”
Swayman and the Bruins will return to the ice on Thursday when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.
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