U.S. women's hockey declines Trump invite to State of the Union - ESPN

WASHINGTON — The U.S. women's hockey gold medal-winning team has politely declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address Tuesday.

«We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women's Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,» the U.S. women's team said in a statement released Monday. «Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.»

Trump also invited the U.S. men's gold medal-winning team. Each U.S. hockey team arrived in Miami on Monday.

Scheduling will be a challenge as the NHL season resumes with five games Wednesday. The PWHL returns Thursday.

Logistics played a role in the decision, as many of the women players were not scheduled to arrive in North America until Monday evening. The men's team flew by charter to Miami earlier Monday. The women took a commercial flight and were scheduled to land in Atlanta.

A source told The Associated Press that the women's players didn't learn of the invite until late Sunday night, making it difficult to change their travel plans.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of both teams.

When extending the invitation to the men's team on Sunday night, Trump said, «I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that.» Trump joked that if he did not also invite the women's team, «I do believe I probably would be impeached.»

The Olympic tournament featured two thrilling medal finals, both ending in overtime, with the