NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is defending the U.S. men's hockey team's reaction to President Donald Trump's remarks about the women's squad after their Olympic gold medal victories.
Following the men's gold medal win, Trump mentioned inviting the women's team, who also secured gold, to the State of the Union. Bettman stated that the men's team had no intention of slighting the women, emphasizing mutual respect between the squads.
Bettman acknowledged that the portrayal of events was unfortunate and unfair to the men's team, but believes the women's team shared the same sentiment of mutual respect. U.S. women's captain Hilary Knight and other players have indicated support for the men's team.
Men's team players, including Jeremy Swayman and the Hughes brothers, have spoken highly of their relationships with the women's team. Jack Hughes even cited Megan Keller, who scored the women's golden goal, as a first thought after his own winning goal.
Despite the controversy, the men's team's Olympic accomplishment captivated the nation. Knight and Keller later appeared on "Saturday Night Live" with the Hughes brothers.