U.S. hockey stars Jack and Quinn Hughes are dealing with a lot of attention after their team’s recent victory. They recently had a call with former President Donald Trump, which stirred up some controversy. Jack referred to the mixed reactions as a “backlash.”
The call happened right after the men’s team won gold against Canada. Trump invited both the men’s and women’s teams to the State of the Union and the White House. His comment about needing to invite the women’s team to avoid impeachment got some laughs. Jack Hughes mentioned, “People are trying to find reasons to criticize us,” highlighting the negativity they’ve faced. However, he also emphasized how proud they are of the women’s team.
On February 19, the U.S. women’s team also triumphed, going undefeated with a nail-biting overtime win against Canada. Jack shared that both teams celebrated together in the cafeteria around 3:30 a.m. after their victories.
However, the women’s team declined the invitation to the State of the Union due to prior academic and professional commitments, according to USA Hockey. They expressed gratitude for the recognition of their achievement.
In a recent interview, Quinn Hughes shared his excitement about attending the State of the Union, saying it’s not an opportunity you get every day. He also acknowledged some social media chatter concerning both teams.
Jack noted how the call happened in their dressing room, where players discussed the invitation to the White House. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly stated that players could decide whether to accept the invite individually, depending on their team’s preferences.
Jack expressed enthusiasm about the White House visit. “It’s so patriotic,” he said, highlighting the pride they feel representing the U.S.
Historically, this kind of recognition hasn’t been common for athletes. In 2012, the U.S. women’s soccer team also received an invitation from President Obama following their World Cup win. Such invitations illustrate how sports can foster unity and pride, even amid political differences.
As reactions on social media continue to evolve, the response from the Hughes brothers highlights the balancing act athletes must perform between politics and their sports careers.
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Men's Olympic Ice Hockey, NHL, Olympics
