Team USA junior hockey players capture hearts with patriotic singing of national anthem after winning world championship

Team USA junior ice hockey players captured hearts and sent a little pride back to America with their emotional, patriotic singing of the national anthem after winning the world championship Friday in Europe.

Check out the smiling youngsters belting out "The Star-Spangled Banner" after beating host Sweden 6-2:

As you can see, nobody was taking a knee.

The players' verve caught the attention of more than a few prominent folks who praised their unashamed patriotism — in stark contrast to other American athletes who made headlines by disrespecting the anthem:

“Att’n USA women’s soccer — this is what is expected of you if you agree to wear America’s jersey,” Megyn Kelly wrote on X. “Otherwise LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT. These boys show how it’s done. Listen up. God bless them and God bless America!”

Riley Gaines sent a direct message to outspoken women's soccer icon Megan Rapinoe, who gained attention years ago for kneeling during the anthem and then made a name for herself by espousing left-wing social views.

Republican Governor of Texas Greg Abbott wore his pride on his sleeve:

Sports media personality Sage Steele called out her former employer ESPN, saying the American sports network completely ignored Team USA's "special moment" — unlike Canada's TSN Sports, which aired the stirring video:

Former women's soccer star Carli Lloyd loved what she saw:

After the U.S. women's soccer team in August made their earliest-ever exit from the World Cup — which pleased quite a few observers due to the wokeness associated with the team — Rapinoe took comfort in her squad's social activism that she said "changed the world forever."

A month later Rapinoe said said she's prouder "by a mile" of her "gay rights," "trans rights," and "racial justice" activism off the field than of her on-field accomplishments.

For her part, Lloyd criticized the women's team for celebrating after a 0-0 World Cup draw against Portugal, and former U.S. Men's National Team star Alexi Lalas called the women's team "unlikeable" after their elimination from the World Cup.

Anything else?

OutKick said Team USA's junior hockey players came into the world championship tournament in Gothenburg as the favorites to win the gold medal and went undefeated.

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