Kyle Connor has declined an invitation to the White House following Team USA’s Olympic gold medal win, choosing instead to focus on the Winnipeg Jets’ NHL season.

Connor played in the first two games of the Milano Cortina tournament but was later made a healthy scratch. 

After Team USA secured gold, several players were invited to celebrate at the White House with President Donald Trump. Connor did not attend.

Speaking through comments shared by Murat Ates on X, Connor said: “I’m just getting ready. We play on Wednesday. It’s a big second half, so I just wanted to make sure I was ready.”

The team’s celebration drew criticism online, particularly over Trump’s remarks about the Women’s National Team. 

Connor said he did not have much reaction to the controversy: “I don’t really have any thoughts on that. There’s so many things happening,.”

“We just won the gold medal, and things are going on, so I don’t really remember what he said. It’s such a whirlwind, just celebrating.”

Connor now shifts his focus back to the Jets as the NHL season continues.