Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk spoke about his experience at the White House following the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team’s gold medal win and addressed the controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s comments about the U.S. women’s hockey team. On a call with the men’s team, Trump joked that he would have to invite the women’s team to avoid impeachment.
The women’s team declined, citing scheduling conflicts, and U.S. captain Hilary Knight called the remarks “distasteful and unfortunate.” Tkachuk said he understood why the women’s team might feel put down, but explained that the moment caught him off guard, leaving him unsure how to react.
Tkachuk Reflects on White House Visit and Clarifies Misinformation Spread Online
Tkachuk described attending the White House and the State of the Union as a “dream come true,” reflecting on the surreal experience of standing in the Oval Office. He acknowledged that some Ottawa fans were unhappy with his appearances on Fox News and the White House visit, noting the whirlwind nature of the events and how difficult it was to control reactions in such high-profile moments.
Brady Tkachuk Responds to White House Controversy, Celebrates Olympic Triumph RespectfullyHe recalled celebrating with teammates immediately after the Olympics and emphasized the camaraderie and mutual respect between the men’s and women’s teams during the Games.
Tkachuk also addressed an AI-generated TikTok video falsely attributing offensive comments to him. He clarified that the video was fake, not his voice, and contained statements he would never make. He denied making any remarks about closing the Northern border during the Trump call, highlighting how quickly misinformation can spread on social media.
Senators Players Stress Celebration Respect, Not Politics, Amid White House Controversy
Teammate Jake Sanderson agreed that the team’s laughter at Trump’s joke was a “mistake” but said it was blown out of proportion, emphasizing the genuine respect the players had for the women’s team. Other teammates, including Drake Batherson, defended the celebration as a natural response to a historic gold medal, unrelated to politics. Senators head coach Travis Green echoed this sentiment, calling the White House visit a celebration of athletic achievement rather than a political statement.
Returning from the Olympic break, Tkachuk and Sanderson will rejoin the Senators against the Detroit Red Wings during the team’s “Women in Sport Night” festivities. With Ottawa six points out of a playoff spot, the players hope to carry their championship momentum into the NHL season.
This episode highlights the challenges athletes face when public celebrations, media attention, and social media distortions intersect. For Tkachuk, it combined Olympic triumph with unexpected scrutiny, underscoring the need for context, respect, and careful communication in high-profile situations.
