What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom? Explaining Connor Hellebuyck's prestigious honor from Donald Trump

The United States men's hockey team's gold medal game win over Canada bore serious fruit for star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, whose trophy cabinet has gotten all the more lively in recent years.

The Jets standout was paramount to Team USA's win, flicking shot after shot away en route to the golden win -- the Americans' first victory in the match since 1980.

For his efforts, he was rewarded handsomely. Not only did Hellebuyck land his first major team honor with the victory. But he and his U.S. teammates were recognized at Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Hellebuyck walked out as one of the biggest winners from that event. Trump indicated that he was planning to award Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The prize has been given to humanitarians and dubious characters alike, ranging from Stevie Wonder, Muhammad Ali and Maya Angelou to disgraced politicians Dick Cheney and Alvaro Uribe.

With that, here's what you need to know about the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the latest in a string of major accomplishments for the 32-year-old netminder.

MORE: Full list of athletes who have received Presidential Medal of Freedom

What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor an American citizen can receive. It's analogous to the Medal of Honor, the highest honor a president can bestow to U.S. military personnel.

The award recognizes people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Some of the nation's greatest minds, including Martin Luther King Jr., Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, have claimed the prize.

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Why did Connor Hellebuyck receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

In his address at Congress on Wednesday, Trump said that he made the decision to award Hellebuyck the prize after putting it to a vote among his teammates on the U.S. men's hockey roster.

"Great athletes have gotten that, very great, the best," Trump said. "I thought he deserved it. I did take a vote -- every single one of them. I said, 'I'm not giving it if anybody goes "no,''' and every single one of them rapidly put up their hand. So, I want to thank you all. What a special job you did. What special champions you are."

Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the United States' gold-medal game win over Canada, including a sprawling stop on Devon Toews that evoked memories of Braden Holtby's Stanley Cup-clinching deflection in 2018.

Hellebuyck's performance kept Team USA afloat. He tacked on an assist for good measure, finding Zach Werenski to help facilitate Jack Hughes' overtime game-winner.

MORE: Ranking Connor Hellebuyck's best saves from gold medal game

A three-time Vezina Trophy winner and first-time Hart Trophy recipient in 2025, Hellebuyck is widely considered the league's best goaltender. When he officially receives the medal, he will become the NHL's first player to land the prize.

Athletes to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Of the 674 people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just 44 -- less than seven percent -- were awarded the prize due to contributions related to sports.

MORE: Why Connor McDavid, not Connor Hellebuyck, won Olympic MVP