This evening, Connor Storrie took the helm as the host of Saturday Night Live.
In his opening monologue, the Heated Rivalry star humorously recounted his experience of learning to “portray a Russian and appear proficient at hockey.” He reminisced about watching the Olympics, admiring the skillful hockey players. Just when self-doubt began to creep in, Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes from the Team USA men’s hockey team made a surprise appearance to assure him he was fantastic, even though they hadn’t yet seen his show.
Jack Hughes, sporting a gap in his smile from a game injury, quipped, “I lost a few teeth in the finals. Does that ever happen on your show?”
With a grin, Storrie turned to the camera and replied, “In a metaphorical sense.”
Their appearance stirred some controversy, as the men’s hockey team, fresh from winning Gold at the Winter Olympics, recently visited the White House, hosted by President Trump. The invitation was initially overshadowed by Trump’s offhand remark about the equally successful Team USA women’s hockey team, a joke the men’s team laughed off, sparking a social media frenzy. Quinn Hughes’ cameo on SNL was seen by some as an attempt to mend the team’s public image.
Just when it seemed the spotlight would solely be on the men’s team, Storrie surprised the audience by introducing “real hockey icons” who often don’t get the recognition they deserve. He brought out Team USA’s stars, Hilary Knight and Megan Keller, to thunderous applause. Storrie expressed his excitement about having them all together. Knight took the opportunity to address Trump’s comment, saying, “It was supposed to be just us, but we thought we’d let the guys tag along.”
USA’s players pose with their gold medals after winning the women’s ice hockey at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 19, 2026. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Just as the audience thought it would be only the men’s team, Storrie introduced others “who are not always represented in hockey” and brought out “actual hockey legends,” Team USA’s Hilary Knight and Megan Keller. The audience roared in cheers when Knight and Keller came out next to Storrie. He mentions how cool it is that they are all here with him. Knight replied, calling out Trump’s comment, “It was just gonna be us, but we thought we’d invite the guys too.”
“We thought we’d give [the men’s team] a moment to shine too,” Keller adds.
Quinn Hughes mentioned the last time the men’s team won Gold was 46 years ago. Knight responded, “The last time [the women’s team] did that was two whole Olympics ago.”
Knight was a guest on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update in 2018, after winning her first Gold medal at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics for Team USA. She has won two Gold medals and three Silver medals, and holds the record for the most IIHF World Championship gold medals.
