The U.S. men's Olympic hockey team is facing intense criticism over their reaction to President Trump's phone call during their gold medal celebration, but star players Jack and Quinn Hughes are pushing back against the "negativity" surrounding the incident.
In a series of interviews, the Hughes brothers defended their teammates, arguing that the online "backlash" over the players' laughter in response to Trump's comments about also inviting the women's team is unwarranted. As Jack Hughes told ABC7 Chicago, "People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them."
A Tight-Knit Team
The Hughes brothers, who both play for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, emphasized the close bond between the men's and women's Olympic hockey teams. As Quinn Hughes told the Associated Press, "Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Olympic Village, I think we are so tight with their group." He noted that the teams were celebrating together into the early hours of the morning after their respective gold medal wins.
What this really means is that the men's team sees the women as equals and allies, not rivals or afterthoughts. The backlash seems to stem from a perception that the players were mocking the women's success, but the Hughes brothers' accounts paint a very different picture of a united American hockey family.
Putting the Criticism in Context
The bigger picture here is that the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams have been dominant forces on the international stage, both clinching gold medals in these Olympics. This is the first time the men have won gold since the famous "Miracle on Ice" in 1980, making it an immensely proud moment for the entire U.S. hockey program.
Rather than focusing on perceived slights, we should celebrate the remarkable achievement of these athletes who have brought glory to their country. As the Seattle Times reported, the men's team is eager to attend the State of the Union address and continue basking in their hard-won triumph. Surely that's a cause for national celebration, not nitpicking.
Ultimately, the Hughes brothers' defense of their teammates suggests the U.S. hockey community is tighter than ever, unified in their pride and support for one another's achievements. In a time of so much division, that's a heartwarming story worth focusing on.