Ella Scott
Ahead of the Women’s United States Ice Hockey team’s successful Winter Olympics, the team met up with actor Stanley Tucci for an indulgent meal at a Michelin Guide-starring restaurant.
Last week, the US women’s hockey team clinched gold at the Milano-Cortina games, defeating Canada 2-1 in nail-biting overtime.
Megan Keller’s puck rescued her side from the brink of defeat, allowing them to maintain the US squad’s spotless 7-0 shutout record at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Following their gold medal comeback, John Wroblewski’s side confirmed it would not be taking up US President Donald Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union address.
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The decision was made after the 79-year-old congratulated the men’s team on their subsequent gold medal effort, claiming: “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.”
He added that he would ‘probably be impeached’ if he didn’t extend the invitation to the women’s team.
USA Hockey said it was ‘sincerely grateful for the invitation’, but due to the timing and ‘previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate’.
“They were honoured to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement,” the statement added.
In conversation with Tyla, a spokesperson added that any further opportunity to visit the White House as a team would be ‘based on their schedules once their seasons conclude’.
Just days before snubbing Trump, the US Women’s Ice Hockey Team met up with The Devil Wears Prada actor Tucci, 65, for a meal.
Linking up on their day off, the squad discussed how they would want the Italian cuisine connoisseur to star as a forward for them before digging into plates of pumpkin risotto.
According to social media, the group hang was at Ristorante Ratanà. The eatery is helmed by chef Cesare Battisti. It is included in the Michelin Guide.
Specialising in modern Milanese fare and seasonal ingredients, Ratanà hosted the squad on the picturesque patio.
Following the Tucci dinner and the decision to give Trump the cold shoulder, Women in Sport, a charity dedicated to transforming sport for the benefit of every woman and girl in the UK, has weighed in.
Speaking to Tyla, Stephanie Hilborne OBE, CEO of Women in Sport said: "For decades, women's team sport had been invisible.
“Now at last it is not, and we are finally able to celebrate the excitement, jeopardy and extraordinary brilliance of women competing in teams at the highest level.
"The USA women's ice hockey team is one of those great teams, and we stand in awe of their achievements. The commitment, teamwork, leadership and skill required to excel on the World stage is undeniable.”
She added that there was ‘no room for misogyny in sport or society’ and that leaders must ‘recognise the equal value of men's and women’s team sport to society’
Despite the women not attending the White House, 20 of the 25 men’s ice hockey winners went ahead with meeting Trump.
Notable absences included Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger and Kyle Connor.
The latter, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets in Canada, confirmed he skipped the White House visit to focus on the remainder of the NHL season, which resumed on Wednesday (25 February).
"I’m just getting ready. We play on Wednesday," he told The Athletic. "It’s a big second half, so I just wanted to make sure I was ready.”