The post Why FBI Director Kash Patel Celebrated with the USA Hockey Team After Winning Gold originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Spectators watching the U.S. men’s hockey team win gold against Canada on Sunday were treated to an unusual sight.
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As Jack Hughes’ extra-time winner struck the top corner, a controversial figure was watching from the box seats. FBI Director Kash Patel witnessed this happening. Patel, a hockey enthusiast, joined Team USA to celebrate the victory after the game and was seen drinking, singing and dancing with members of Team USA’s hockey team in the locker room.
Video shows Patel bumping shoulders with various on-ice celebrities, including Dylan Larkin.
Clips of the interaction went viral on social media, leading onlookers to ask a noteworthy question: Why is Patel competing?
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Here’s what you need to know about Patel’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics and his hockey background.
More 2026 Olympics news:
Why is Kash Patel participating in the Winter Olympics?
Patel arrived in Milan on Thursday for Team USA’s win over Canada, CBS News’ Sarah N. Lynch and Daniel Clayderman reported.
He does this on a $60 million government plane. The 45-year-old has long been under scrutiny for his use of private flights, which are paid for entirely by U.S. taxpayers. According to The Daily Beast, Patel often flies to attend sporting events and visit his girlfriend.
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Patel’s participation in the game appears to be largely influenced by his passion for hockey. He is a well-known follower of the game and was present when Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record in April 2025.
Nearly a year later, Patel was in the stands again to witness an unforgettable hockey game. He praised Team USA throughout the tournament and praised both the men’s and women’s teams on social media.
In a statement released to X, FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson said Patel’s trip to Italy was planned months in advance. He also claimed that Patel would hold meetings with various officials and law enforcement partners.
Patel’s travels have been in the spotlight in recent months, with critics labeling the pilgrimages decadent and unnecessary. Patel, who was watching the game from a box, shared news of the shooting at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s headquarters in Florida. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.
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Has Kashi Patel ever played hockey?
Patel does play hockey. He loved the sport as a child, playing it in his hometown of Garden City, New York.
At 45, Patel remains passionate about ice sports. Before serving as FBI director, he coached a youth hockey team. According to journalist Pablo Torre, he still laces up his skates from time to time and plays for The Dons, a men’s recreational team in Washington, D.C.
“[FBI officials] Knowing not to bother him on Sunday — it was a calculated thing,” an anonymous teammate told Torre.
Torre reported that Patel suffered a torn bicep while playing in the league. However, he publicly blamed his injuries on “kicking them out of the deep state.”
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Karsh Patel’s Hockey Career
Not much is known about Patel’s hockey journey, other than that he began playing hockey at a young age and currently plays for the Dons, a men’s team in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve been playing hockey since I was a kid, and if I’m confirmed to be the next FBI director, I won’t stop playing,” Patel told The Washington Examiner in 2024. “I loved the game and decided to give back to the community, and when I last lived and worked in the Washington area, I had a rewarding experience as a youth hockey coach.”
According to the Washington Examiner, Patel is a defenseman for the Dons who is known for his “toughness.” The Dons hold 46 games a year, with games taking place on Sunday evenings. They are one of the best teams in the Washington area, winning four league titles in the past 12 years. In 2019, the Dons won gold at the CAN/AM Challenge Cup in Lake Placid, the same venue where the U.S. defeated the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
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More: How USA Hockey won first gold medal in 46 years after ‘Miracle on Ice’ game
“He’s a team player. He blocks shots, he takes hits,” teammate Tommy Sabo said. “He would get in the dirty stuff and work really hard. Not expecting thanks or anything. He just went out and basically did his job, and he adapted well.”
“The hustle factor is always there,” added Jordan Shaheen, another teammate. “He’s a tough kid and there’s no doubt he always wants to play.”