US women's hockey gold medalist says it's 'sad' men's team had to apologize for Olympics controversy

Olympic golden medalist and University of Minnesota hockey prima Abbey Murphy dismissed the communicative that the men’s Olympic hockey squad disrespected them by laughing astatine a remark President Donald Trump made aft their triumph implicit Canada connected Sunday, saying that the 2 groups stock a communal respect for 1 another. 

Speaking astir immoderate of her fondest memories astatine Milan Cortina, Murphy said during an quality connected Barstool’s "Spittin’ Chiclets" podcast that her favourite representation came the nighttime of the men’s golden medal crippled erstwhile the 2 groups met successful the eating hall. 

Abbey Murphy (37) of the United States celebrates aft winning the golden medal successful women's crystal hockey by defeating Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games astatine Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena successful Milan, Italy, connected Feb. 19, 2026.  (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)

"The archetypal 2 guys that we saw were Brady Tkachuk, Connor Hellebuyck and Charlie McAvoy. Charlie McAvoy had his goggles connected his head, I mean biggest grin connected his look and helium welcomed each azygous miss [with] a large aged hug, a compression that we were each laughing about, bully memories. And helium was conscionable ace blessed for america arsenic we were for them." 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Murphy, who won golden with her 2 goals and 5 assists passim the tournament, said the 2 teams sat unneurotic for 2.5 hours earlier the men’s squad had to depart astir 3 a.m.

 "We sat astir the array with laughs and jokes. Jack Eichel was starring a batch of cheers that we were pursuing on on. I was sitting adjacent to Tage Thompson, who had a batch to share. He was a truly comic guy. But, you know, it’s conscionable worldly similar that we’re going to retrieve forever. 

"To beryllium determination with them and acquisition each those things was immoderate of the champion moments I’ll remember," she added. "Obviously, a immense grant to correspond the state with them. So, gladsome to marque arsenic galore memories arsenic possible." 

Team USA men’s hockey golden medalists person irked wide pundits and quality organizations contempt captivating the federation with their Olympic accomplishment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Murphy went connected to explicate that contempt the media tempest that followed the men’s squad aft they were heard laughing successful effect to Trump saying helium would "have" to besides invitation the women’s squad to the State of the Union address, she thought it was "sad" that the players needed to apologize.  

"We ne'er felt thing atrocious from them. It’s bittersweet that they adjacent person to apologize for anything. It truly is." 

"They’re a peculiar radical of boys and we’re honored to benignant of beryllium successful that travel with them and stock it. But we cognize however overmuch they respect america and we respect them. It decidedly goes 2 ways." 

A statement surrounding the men’s squad attending the State of the Union code and gathering with Trump successful the Oval Office connected Tuesday led to galore of the players facing questions astir the incidental upon their instrumentality to the NHL.

U.S. women’s hockey prima Hillary Knight addressed the contention connected ESPN, calling the gag "distasteful," but defended the men’s players. 

United States' Kendall Coyne, left, and United States' Hilary Knight observe aft the triumph ceremonial for women’s crystal hockey astatine the 2026 Winter Olympics successful Milan, Italy, connected Feb. 19, 2026. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)

"I deliberation there's a genuine level of enactment determination and respect," she said. "I deliberation that's being overshadowed by a speedy lapse. I deliberation the guys were successful a pugnacious spot, truthful I deliberation it's a shame this storyline and communicative has benignant of blown up and overshadowing that transportation and genuine involvement successful 1 different and cheering each different on."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The women’s hockey squad declined an invitation to the State of the Union address, but USA Hockey said successful a aboriginal connection that the squad would "soon" sojourn the White House to observe their golden medal occurrence "based connected their schedules erstwhile their seasons conclude."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Related Article