The captain of the gold-medal-winning US women's ice hockey team hopes people learn from her male counterparts' reaction to their phone call with president Donald Trump.
The men's team was recorded in their locker room on a phone call laughing after the US president invited them to the State of the Union and the White House, adding "we're going to have to bring the women's team" because he "probably would be impeached" if he did not.
While one team member responded "absolutely" to inviting the women's team, it was drowned out by laughter from much of the rest of the team, leading to criticism of Trump and the male players.
The women's team turned down the invitation due to scheduling difficulties, although Trump said during his State of the Union address on Wednesday they "will soon be coming to the White House".
Players have started returning to their NHL and PWHL teams and have been asked about the comments from the president and the reaction in the locker room, with both teams touting the strength of the connection between the men's and women's players.
Women's captain Hilary Knight told ESPN there was genuine reciprocal support between the sides that was "being overshadowed by a quick lapse".
"I think the guys were in a tough spot, so it's a shame that this storyline and narrative has blown up and [is] overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering one another on … and supporting each other on the world stage," said Knight, who broke the US record for goals and appearances during her fifth Winter Olympic Games.
"I think this is a really good learning point to focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in [any] industry, women aren't less than and our achievements shouldn't be overshadowed."
Back-up men's goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman admitted the team handled it poorly.
"Yeah, we should've reacted differently," he said.
"We know that we are so excited for the women's team, we have so much respect for the women's team, and to share that gold medal with them is something that we'll forever be grateful for."
Women's forward Kelly Pannek suggested her beef was not with the men's players with whom they had bonded during the Games, but with the man who made the comment in the first place.
"The video is what it is; you'd have to ask them [the men's team] their feelings on it," she said.
"With the phone call specifically, it's not surprising, to be frank. So I don't know why we expect differently.
"But for us it's also about getting back to the focus on our team and what our team accomplished."
