WASHINGTON — In the wake of the United States men’s hockey team’s thrilling overtime gold-medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, one of the louder voices standing up for Team USA isn’t on the ice — he’s on social media. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy delivered a spirited and at times humorous defense Monday of the players and their celebrations, calling out critics who have questioned aspects of the post-gold medal buzz and the attention surrounding their invitation to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
Portnoy, known for his outspoken style and penchant for stirring conversation, took aim at detractors on his social platform after video clips and social-media commentary sparked debate about how the hockey heroes have been celebrated. At the heart of the discussion was a viral moment showing President Donald Trump calling into the men’s locker room in Italy to congratulate the team and invite them to Washington, which ignited a mix of joy and criticism online.
On Monday, Portnoy went on the offensive, defending the team’s response to the congratulatory call and the ensuing celebrations. “If this speech made you mad, you need to take a Valium and maybe just take a thousand steps back,” Portnoy said, arguing that enjoying a national-team victory and a congratulatory message from a president — any president — is fundamentally patriotic. He even took a playful jab at what he called “the softest group of people on the planet” in reference to social-media critics who questioned the optics of the moment.
Portnoy also weighed in on related criticism — like the attention surrounding figures spotted with the team during their celebrations — dismissing such reactions as overblown and emphasizing the honor inherent in representing one’s country at a historic moment. The U.S. men’s hockey squad’s gold medal marked the nation’s first Olympic title in the sport since the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” a feat fueled by star performances, including Jack Hughes’ overtime winner and Connor Hellebuyck’s 41-save game in the final.
On Tuesday, Portnoy doubled down with another epic rant..
As the team transitions from Olympic rinks to the Capitol, Portnoy’s remarks reflect a broader cultural conversation about how Americans choose to celebrate achievement, particularly in sport.
Tonight’s State of the Union will feature the hockey champions as honored guests, and regardless of the chatter swirling on social feeds, Portnoy’s message was clear: when America wins, Americans should enjoy the moment — with a smile, a cheer, and maybe a little bit of Barstool-style bravado behind them.
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