After a tantalizing series of preliminary and playoff games that culminated in the showdown against Team Canada, the United States Men’s Hockey Team overpowered the formidable foe, which boasted some of the best offensive talent in the NHL, to win its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
However, despite the awe-inspiring success of the Men’s Hockey Team, the celebrations have not been without controversy, with defenseman Quinn Hughes weighing in on all that transpired between the White House and the USA Hockey Team after the win.
Quinn Hughes Speaks Up in the Wake of Donald Trump’s Comment About the Women’s Hockey Team
Led by five-time Olympic medalist Hilary Knight, the United States’ Women’s Hockey Team suppressed Marie-Philip Poulin and company to win Olympic gold at Milano-Cortina. The team’s last gold medal win came in 2018. To keep up the United States’ dominant showing going in Italy, the Men’s Hockey Team brutally cut short Sidney Crosby’s aspirations for a third Olympic gold medal, thanks to Jack Hughes’ cinematic goal.
However, the celebrations soon took a political turn when FBI Director Kash Patel joined Auston Matthews and the rest of the team inside the locker room. Soon after, Donald Trump joined over the phone, inviting the team to keep the celebratory mood going.
However, Trump’s questionable joke about having to invite the Women’s Hockey team too, or running the risk of getting impeached, did not sit well with many.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe I probably would be impeached [if I didn’t],” Trump joked during the phone call, with Team USA’s players laughing in the background.
When interviewed by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Hughes was asked whether the Men’s Hockey team would meet with the President in the wake of the women’s team declining the invitation to the State of the Union.
Hughes noted that, despite the controversy on social media, the men’s team will attend the State of the Union, even though Knight and her teammates will not, citing scheduling conflicts. The defenseman also stated that, notwithstanding all the noise, he is proud of the women’s hockey team’s accomplishments.
“We’re really happy for them. Obviously, a lot going on on social media surrounding our team and their team. But, you know, the last couple we’ve done a lot of training with them and got to know a lot of those girls really well. We’re extremely happy to come,” Hughes noted.
Despite the controversy, the fact remains that USA hockey had an unrivaled campaign at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The Women’s Hockey team successfully replicated its 2018 gold medal success, consequently making a poignant case for increasing the visibility and funding of women’s hockey in the country.
