President Barack Obama was in the Twin Cities on Monday touting a $300 billion transportation plan that he says will make Minnesota a model for future development of light-rail lines.
You can read all about that news stuff right here, but he also touched on some really important things – like hockey.
In the opening minutes of his address the President started talking about how cold this winter has been in Minnesota, and it led him in to a comment about the Olympics.
Here’s what President Obama said (transcript here).
Now, like millions of Americans, I’ve spent some time with Minnesotans lately — because I was watching the Olympics. (Laughter.) Minnesota sent 19 athletes to the games. (Applause.) That’s tied for second most of any state, and they did us all proud. It is not shocking that Minnesotans might be pretty good at the Winter Olympics. (Laughter.) What is particularly interesting is that, once again, the tiny town of Warroad proved that it really is Hockeytown, USA, thanks to T.J. Oshie and Gigi Marvin, who we’re just so proud of. And T.J.’s shootout performance against the Russians I might say I enjoyed a lot. (Applause.) I tweeted at him about it.
Marvin took notice of the support the President gave Warroad.
once again, the tiny town of Warroad proved that it really is Hockeytown, USA" @BarackObama http://t.co/zoQeWmbI6M#ComeSkateAnytimeMrPres
— Gigi Marvin (@GigiMarvin) February 27, 2014
Marvin was named the best girls’ high school player in the state in 2005 when she received the Let’s Play Hockey Ms. Hockey Award. She then starred for the Golden Gophers from 2005-2009. She finished sixth on the Gophers’ all-time scoring list with 195 points.
Oshie, who played his college hockey at North Dakota, might be the most famous hockey player in the U.S. today after his remarkable shootout performance against Russia during the preliminary round of the Games. He scored four goals in an eight-round shootout to lead the Americans to victory.
Obama fittingly closed his hockey remarks like this:
“By the way, I cannot play hockey. (Laughter.) I grew up in Hawaii – we do not have hockey in Hawaii,” he said.
President Obama gives Hockeytown USA a S/O today in MSP! Thank you @GigiMarvin @OSH74 for making us all proud! http://t.co/SL5cwvWXG2
— Warroad Hockeytown (@WHockeytownUSA) February 26, 2014
Still can't get over the amount of class shown by @OSH74 today! Thank you from the USA Warriors! #USAHockey pic.twitter.com/QFzPy6Devs
— USA Warriors Hockey (@USAWarriors) February 16, 2014
Photo of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan celebrating the final, game-winning shot when #TeamUSA defeated Russia today! pic.twitter.com/gXKMS29LZY
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 15, 2014
