ESPN Denounced for Not Showing USA Hockey Team Singing National Anthem After Win

U.S. hockey players celebrate winning the IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey final match between Sweden and USA at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Jan. 5, 2024. Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT via AP

ESPN is being put on ice for not broadcasting the USA Hockey junior team as they locked arms and belted out the national anthem in celebration of clinching the gold medal in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship on Jan. 5.

The raw and momentous scene’s absence on America’s top sports network didn’t come to light until TSN Sports, a Canadian television station, posted a video of the young men showing their patriotism on X.

The video has since gone viral, with many commenting that they were reduced to tears after watching the young men in their USA Hockey uniforms robustly singing “The Star Spangled Banner” in celebration of their victory.

The U.S. National Junior Team features men under 20 years old.

The video shoes them standing in a line with their arms draped over one another’s shoulders on the ice rink on skates, many with still sweaty hair, singing as they faced the American flag draped between the flags of the Czech Republic and Sweden, which had just lost to the U.S. team.

Some also used the opportunity to criticize other American athletes for not showing similar patriotism.

Riley Gaines, a former competitive college swimmer who has since become an advocate against biological men competing in women’s sports, posted about the video on X.

“Hey @mPinoe, take notes,” she wrote, in reference to former National Women’s Soccer player Megan Rapinoe’s highly-publicized decision to kneel during the national anthem before games.

In addition to Ms. Rapinoe, the entire women’s soccer team was criticized last year after many of them stood silently during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner” during the Women’s World Cup match in Vietnam.

Ms. Rapinoe did not respond The Epoch Times about comments made in reference to her and the video of the hockey team.

Praise for Canadian Sports Network

Even religious organizations criticized ESPN for not covering the young hockey team’s patriotic celebration.

“The young American hockey players were totally excited after winning the Gold at the World Juniors tournament. So they gathered together and sang the National Anthem. And fans were excited to see a national team that was proud of their country,” wrote Catholic Vote on its website. “But if you were watching ESPN — you wouldn’t have witnessed this wonderful moment. They didn’t show it on TV.”

The Catholic advocacy group added, “Thankfully, TSN Sports—a Canadian sports network—shared the moment with their audience.”

Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele wrote a scathing critique of the network in post on X.

“Crazy that CANADA’s top sports network @TSN_Sports chose to show this special moment from AMERICA’s junior hockey team after winning gold..but AMERICA’s largest sports network @espn chose to completely ignore it on all social media platforms,” Ms. Steele wrote. “Also crazy considering ESPN’s rights deal with the @NHL. Unlike so many famous millionaire athletes who complain about this country but gladly take the money ... it’s SO refreshing to see such pride from these young men!!!!”

ESPN did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment before press time.

This is the latest controversy the network has faced in a growing litany of criticism for an alleged lack of patriotism and an embrace of left-wing ideology.

In March, the network faced criticism for featuring swimmer William “Lia” Thomas, a biological male living as a transgender woman, in celebration of Women’s History Month. Thomas competed for the University of Pennsylvania women’s swim team.

In 2022, two ESPN announcers held an on-the-air moment of silence during an NCAA women’s basketball tournament to protest Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which prohibits the discussion of sexuality and gender identity with young children in schools.

Reactions to Victory

The original TSN Sports post featuring the video of the U.S. hockey team drew more than 1,200 comments, including words of congratulations from people in other countries.

“I am Canadian and this made me so happy to see them singing and appreciating their win on behalf of their country,” one woman posted.

An American woman posted in response to TSN’s coverage of the American hockey victory. “ESPN didn’t report this! Thank you TSN! Congrats, Team USA! Your country is very proud of you!”

The victory by the young men followed an 11-day tournament ending in a nail-biting game against Sweden.

David Carle, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team, did not respond to inquiries about the criticism of ESPN. In a statement published by USA Hockey, Mr. Carle said he was proud of the young men that made up the American team.

“They’ll walk together forever as champions. They committed to each other, didn’t care who got the credit and we got the job done,” he said.

Team captain Rutger McGroarty, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, and current member of the University of Michigan hockey team, told USA Hockey that locking eyes with his father in the stands was a moment he'll remember for the rest of his life.

“There’s nothing you can say about it,” he said. “We’re champions of the world. It’s pretty cool.”