Trump honours Winnipeg Jets goalie with Presidential Medal of Freedom during state of the union address

The Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team visited U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and later received about a two-minute bipartisan standing ovation during his state of the union address that night.

Trump also announced that the women's hockey team — which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold — will "soon" visit the White House. The women's team declined an invitation to attend the state of the union because of the timing of the address.

Members of the men's team entered the House chamber through two sets of doors and walked down the rows of the press gallery. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle not only stood and cheered but chanted "USA!" several times, many even pumping fists.

Rep. Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted "Love you!" to the players.

"I want to thank you all," Trump told the players. "What a special job you did. What special champions you are."

Trump also said goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in the gold medal game, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honour. Hellebuyck, who plays for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets, tapped his heart as those in the chamber applauded.

Videos and photos of the team's earlier visit to the White House shared on social media by Trump administration aides showed the hockey players posing for a photograph in front of the South Portico. They walked along the West Wing colonnade where Trump has posted portraits of every U.S. president just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed by Trump.

As they approached the Oval Office, some of the players popped into the press office's open door to flash the medals from their 2-1 overtime win over