US women’s hockey star Hilary Knight delivers joke on ‘SNL’ about Trump’s White House visit quip
This time it was Hilary Knight’s turn to provide a big laugh – with help from the writers of “Saturday Night Live” – after a week of dust-ups involving the United States’ women’s and Olympic gold medal-winning hockey teams.
Knight, the US women’s captain, along with teammate Megan Keller and men’s teammates Jack and Quinn Hughes, made a surprise appearance when the “Heated Rivalry” star opened up for star Connor Storrie’s monologue on “SNL” Saturday night.
With the Hughes brothers already on stage alongside Storrie, Knight and Keller joined them and sang loud and long. The four players were wearing USA jerseys with their gold medals hanging around their necks.
Knight opened by saying: “It was going to be just us, but we thought we’d invite the boys too.”
The speech clearly pointed to the controversy that erupted when the men received a phone call to congratulate them from President Donald Trump following their 2-1 overtime victory against Canada on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Games.
Speaking to the delegation via speakerphone, Trump invited men to his State of the Union address, before adding that he would have to invite women as well.
Later, the president said that if he doesn’t invite these women, he risks being fired, which led the players to laugh at the speech, which many saw as sexist.
Knight on Wednesday called the joke “offensive and unfortunate.”
Many men said that they were laughing in celebration. Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman admitted they “should have reacted differently” to Trump’s comments.
The American women, who also beat Canada 2-1 in overtime three days ago, politely declined Trump’s invitation due to travel plans.
The players left for North America late Monday evening, after the men traveled on a chartered plane paid for by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association.
Jack Hughes scored an extra time goal for the men.
Keller scored an overtime goal for the women, and Knight tied the game in the final minutes of regulation.
Knight plays for the Seattle Torrent of the PWHL, and made the trip to New York City one day after being placed on long-term injured reserve.
Keller, who plays for Boston, flew to New York hours after playing in the Fleet’s 3-2 win in Ottawa earlier in the day.
Jack Hughes plays for the NHL New Jersey Devils, and Quinn for the Minnesota Wild.
Knight delivered another punchline after Quinn Hughes said men last won gold 46 years ago at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
Knight followed up with the women’s last win in 2018.
Laughing, Jack Hughes replied, “good burn,” before turning to Storrie and saying: “These gold medals aren’t just for us, they’re for all hockey fans, and yours too.”
When Storrie asked if he could try one of the medals, all four players turned and said, “No.”
“Heated Rivalry” has become a hit following its first season on HBO Max.
Adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel published in 2019, it features a plot revolving around a gay hockey romance where two players from opposing teams form a secret, long-term relationship.
