Abbey Murphy, a gold medalist in women's hockey and a star at the University of Minnesota, addressed the controversy surrounding the men's Olympic hockey team and their supposed disrespect towards the women's team. Refuting the narrative of disrespect, Murphy emphasized the mutual respect shared between the two teams. She recalled a warm encounter in the dining hall post the men’s gold medal game, highlighting personal connections made during the Olympics.

During her appearance on Barstool’s "Spittin’ Chiclets" podcast, she shared that her favorite memory was meeting the men’s team after their gold medal game. Murphy described the joyful interaction with players like Brady Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy, who greeted her and her teammates with enthusiasm and hugs. This personal exchange underlined the camaraderie and respect existing between the male and female athletes, rather than any notion of rivalry or disrespect.

Murphy's commentary comes in stark contrast to the public perception that the men needed to apologize for a light-hearted moment that was misinterpreted. She labeled the situation as "sad," indicating that the focus should be on their achievements rather than misunderstandings, ultimately suggesting that the spirit of unity and support among hockey players at the Olympics should take precedence over controversies.