Team USA captain Auston Matthews added a major chapter to his career on Sunday. He led the Americans to a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada to capture gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The victory snapped a 46-year drought for U.S. men’s hockey and came on the anniversary of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
But while Matthews was celebrating one of the biggest accomplishments of his career, the focus briefly shifted back to the NHL, something the Hughes brothers clearly didn’t appreciate.
Quinn Hughes Defends Auston Matthews
Following the gold-medal win, Matthews sat alongside Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes during a postgame media session. The trio fielded questions about the historic victory and its meaning for USA Hockey.
One reporter asked Matthews a question about his role as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the looming return to the NHL regular season. “I don’t want to take you away from this moment,” the reporter began, “but in a couple of days you have to get back to the NHL season. How do you take this winning experience and bring it back to your team?”
As the question was being asked, the camera caught Quinn Hughes signaling for another beer, zooming in on the moment.
Matthews didn’t hesitate with his response. “I’m trying to live in the moment, man. Come on,” he said. Jack Hughes quickly backed his teammate. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says now. Auston Matthews is a winner,” he said.
Then Quinn Hughes delivered the strongest message of all. “That’s what the media in Toronto should be talking about,” Hughes said. “Auston Matthews led us to a championship.”
The comments come amid a turbulent NHL season for Matthews. Despite posting 48 points in 51 games, including 26 goals, he has faced heavy scrutiny in Toronto over a perceived dip in production. Questions about lingering “undisclosed” injuries have followed him over the past two seasons.
And with the Maple Leafs sitting near the bottom of the Atlantic Division, six points out of a Wild Card spot with 25 games remaining, speculation has only intensified. Trade rumors have even surfaced, fueling debate about his future in Toronto.
Yet on the Olympic stage, Matthews delivered. He recorded three goals and seven points in six games and set the tone early in the gold-medal game, assisting on Matt Boldy’s opening goal. As captain, he guided a roster filled with stars to a historic victory over their biggest rival.
Before the break, Matthews helped guide the Maple Leafs to three straight wins, and he’ll look to carry that momentum into Wednesday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
