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Although Donald Trump was not present at Thursday night's highly anticipated Four Nations hockey matchup between the United States and Canada, he still made his presence felt with a direct call to Team USA's locker room.
An hour before the game, ESPN released footage of the phone call, in which Trump praised the American squad and encouraged them to play with confidence.
"You guys are really talented. I have great respect for hockey players-I'm a hockey fan. I love hockey," Trump told the team. "The talent and skill that you have is crazy. Just go out and have a good time tonight. I just want to wish you a lot of luck."
He continued by offering a patriotic boost, assuring the players that the country was behind them.
"There's no pressure whatsoever. Just go out and have a good time. You're going to win. We love America, we love you guys, we'll be watching tonight-bring it home."
A high-stakes battle on the ice
The USA vs. Canada rivalry is one of the most intense in international hockey, making Trump's message a timely one for the American team. The Four Nations tournament serves as a key battleground for top talent ahead of future international competitions, adding extra weight to each game.
Trump's call sparked discussion among fans, with some seeing it as a powerful show of , while others debated the political undertones of his involvement in sports. Regardless of the reaction, his words added an extra layer of intrigue to an already thrilling matchup.
As Team USA hit the ice against their northern rivals, all eyes were on whether Trump's motivational speech would translate into a winning performance.