Why Jake Guentzel Skips White House Visit with Team USA

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel made a personal decision to skip the White House visit with his Olympic teammates this week, choosing instead to focus on rest and family time following Team USA’s historic gold medal win at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. The 31-year-old addressed the media Wednesday, clarifying that his absence was not a statement but simply a matter of timing and priorities after an intense Olympic campaign.

Guentzel emphasized that he holds tremendous respect for the tradition of visiting the White House, having experienced it firsthand in 2017 with the Pittsburgh Penguins after winning the Stanley Cup. “I definitely was not denying the request to go,” he explained. “It was a dream come true to go, I was fortunate to go in 2017 when President Trump was in office.” His remarks sought to dispel any speculation that his decision carried political weight, framing it instead as a practical choice given his demanding schedule.

The Olympics marked Guentzel’s first appearance on hockey’s biggest international stage, and he delivered, scoring a goal in the tournament. Team USA’s dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on February 22 secured the nation’s first men’s ice hockey gold since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, with teammate Jack Hughes netting the championship-winning goal. Following the emotional high of the gold medal game, Guentzel prioritized recovery and reconnecting with loved ones after two intense weeks abroad.

“Just kind of a timing thing for me and my family,” Guentzel told reporters. “We got a lot of games coming up the rest of the year, it’s gonna be a tough schedule, so two weeks of Olympic break, thought it was good to come home, rest and recover and try to spend some time with my family before we get going.” As the Lightning push toward the playoffs holding first place in the Atlantic Division, Guentzel’s focus now shifts entirely to helping Tampa Bay chase another championship, with his Olympic gold safely secured and his priorities firmly in order.