The USA men’s hockey team marked their Winter Olympics gold medal victory with a night of exuberant celebration at a renowned Miami nightclub on Monday. The team’s festivities were anything but subdued as they partied the night away.
Jack Hughes and his triumphant teammates were joined by a large crowd of fans at the iconic E11EVEN nightclub. The celebration followed their thrilling win against longtime rivals Canada, adding to the excitement of the evening.
The American team had only returned from Milan that same Monday afternoon, as their flight had been redirected from New York to Florida due to severe winter weather conditions in the Northeast.
Despite the hectic travel schedule, the players showed no signs of fatigue. They jubilantly sprayed champagne, smoked cigars, sang the national anthem, and delivered victory speeches to the energetic crowd on the dance floor.
When asked about potential jet lag, a source confidently told the Daily Mail, “Absolutely not. They’re hockey players. They endure physical battles on the ice and are riding an adrenaline high from their win.”
Photos and videos from inside E11EVEN captured by the Daily Mail illustrate the team’s high spirits, as they enjoyed the night with a soundtrack of Americana and country music pumping through the speakers.
Team USA hockey stars partied hard at E11EVEN nightclub in Miami on Monday night (pictured L-R: Zach Werenski, Brock Faber, Charlie McAvoy, Brady Tkachuk, unidentified player in light blue sweatshirt, Matthew Tkachuk and Dylan Larkin)
L-R: Brady Tkachuk, golden goal hero Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk celebrate in Miami
Brady Tkachuk put his gold medal between his teeth and held the American flag aloft
It’s understood the festivities led to a $150,000 bar bill with vast amounts of E11EVEN Vodka, Armand de Brignac champagne and Dame Más tequila consumed. Players could be seen pouring booze into fans’ mouths as they danced from the stage above.
At one stage, they played a replay of Hughes’ iconic overtime goal that secured victory against the Canadians. The clip was greeted with huge roars from the crowd inside the club.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in a remarkable individual performance against the Canadians, was given the microphone to address the crowd.
After getting a wild reception, the crowd started chanting ‘Helle, Helle!. He replied to them: ‘Are we having a good time tonight?
‘Can I get a round of applause for my teammates? They battled so hard. Every single guy in here.
‘Every detail mattered this entire trip. We did this not only for us, we wanted to bring gold to you guys. We want to celebrate the US f***ing A. So enjoy this one with us tonight. We’re having a good time. I know you’re having a good time. This is for the USA.’
Daily Mail understands the last-minute bash was largely organized by the Florida Panthers stars on the team, who celebrated their Stanley Cup win at the same nightclub.
It’s also understood that E11EVEN, which was offering guests a free bar, had to close down its guest list by 9am Monday morning because fans had already filled it.
Matthew Tkachuk pours alcohol on fans as Zach Werenski stands with his arms spread open
Players sprayed bottles of champagne all over each other in celebration of their feat
Heroic goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (L), seen on stage wearing a cowboy hat on Monday
Jack Hughes flashes a toothless grin atop a party bus in the streets of Miami
Earlier in the evening, hundreds of Team USA fans lined up around the block as they waited to get inside with strict security measures in place. Those without tickets waited to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
The team spent the early part of the evening dining at Korean steakhouse Cote before boarding a double-decker bus to ride around South Beach.
It promises to be a busy few days for the players, who are due to meet Donald Trump in Washington DC on Tuesday when they will attend the State of the Union and visit the White House.
Trump made the proposal during a celebratory phone call with the team after their stunning 2-1 overtime win over rivals Canada in the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics on Sunday.
But the women’s hockey team, who also won gold in Milan, turned down Trump’s offer. It came after the president joked with the men’s team he’d be impeached if he didn’t include the women’s team too.
On a call to the men’s team in their locker room in Milan, Trump said: ‘I can send a military plane or something. If you would like to, it’s the coolest night.
‘We will do the White House the next day, we will just have some fun, we have medals for you guys.’
He added: ‘We have, I must tell you, we are going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe I would probably be impeached (if he didn’t invite them).’
Matthew Tkachuk (L) and Connor Hellebuyck (center) are paraded through the streets
Florida Panthers star and two-time Stanley Cup winner Matthew Tkachuk from a familiar view
L-R: Clayton Keller, JT Miller and Auston Matthews pictured smoking cigars early in the night
The men’s team immediately accepted Trump’s offer to join, with some laughing at his joke about impeachment.
However, the women’s team announced they had turned down Trump’s offer to join their male counterparts on Monday.
‘We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,’ a USA hockey spokesperson was quoted as saying by NBC.
‘They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.’
They will not be attending, however, ‘due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments’.
Kash Patel was in Milan for Sunday’s final and he headed into the locker room to join in the celebrations, with a video appearing to show the FBI director chugging a beer and partying with the players.
