U.S. Olympic men's hockey players attend the State of the Union address, Feb. 24. (Image Credit: Matt Rourke / The Associated Press)

By James Peters

TWO & OUT

PETERS: U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team celebration was extremely political – whether players recognize it or not

Feb 27, 2026 | 12:30 PM

THE DISCOURSE around the American Olympic men’s hockey team cozying up with the U.S. administration this week has exposed a huge fissure in western society.

It’s not the distance between left and right on the political spectrum, or even the polarity between the sane and the unhinged.

It’s the widening gap between the wealthy and the rest of us, and the privilege afforded those who can insulate themselves from what’s going on in the real world.

By now, the details of how the White House celebrated with the men’s team are well-known – from the locker-room-talk phone call to the gourmet McDonald’s dinner.

TWO & OUT

PETERS: U.S. Olympic men's hockey team celebration was extremely political - whether players recognize it or not

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When questioned after the fact, most players said they were proud of their country and their accomplishment, and expressed regret over the celebration being made political.

The perfect encapsulation was given by defenceman Jake Sanderson.

He said he’s not big into politics – which is one thing. That’s fine.

Then he said – quote – “I’m a hockey player at the end of the day. I think, personally for me, I just live in my own world under a rock.”

That’s what privilege looks like – maintaining a position where the many challenges of the world today can’t reach you.

It’s the money, yes, but that money affords the wealthy a certain buffer from the very real challenges of 2026.

The rest of Sanderson’s country actually has to grapple with the impacts of taxes through tariffs, of the jackbooted ICE agents taking away their neighbours and of an overall regression in basic rights.

It’s almost inconceivable any American could hold no opinion whatsoever about President Donald Trump.

He’s the most divisive western world leader in history because his agenda is abjectly destructive to the wellbeing of his nation.

Either you’re dead-set against the Trump regime or you’re full-on wearing the red hat – and his flagging favourability numbers show that latter group is shrinking.

To be in a position to hold no opinion must be really nice.

These players’ choice to bask in the gilded trappings of Trump’s White House is not a mere expression of patriotism, but a deeply political statement – whether they recognize it or not.

That elitist bent certainly runs counter to the image of hockey players as the most relatable professional athletes.

Any hockey player – or any wealthy citizen, really – who buries their head in the sand is truly in a place of privilege.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.