Washington — USA Hockey superstar Jack Hughes stepped into the spotlight again Tuesday — not for his heroics on the ice, but to address critics who took aim at Team USA’s Olympic gold medal celebration and the whirlwind of events that followed it. After the Americans’ dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics — the nation’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980 — some fans and media voices raised eyebrows about how the celebrations played out. Hughes, the New Jersey Devils star who scored the winning goal, responded to that backlash with a calm, patriotic message that reflected the pride of his teammates and the nation.
Hughes — known for his quiet leadership and steady demeanor — addressed critics on Monday outside E11EVEN Miami, where the team celebrated its historic win. Social media and some outlets questioned aspects of the post-Olympic festivities, including videos showing FBI Director Kash Patel in the locker room with the team after the gold medal game. Hughes pushed back gently on the negativity, emphasizing that the players were focused on representing their country and celebrating a lifetime achievement.
“Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today,” Hughes said. “People are so negative out there, and they’re just trying to find reasons to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.” He noted that the men’s and women’s teams formed close bonds during the Olympics, sharing late nights in the athletes’ village and mutual respect through their runs to gold — a reminder that on the ice and off, the sport can bring people together.
The criticism included outrage over scenes from the locker room in Milan and the team’s plans to attend both Tuesday’s State of the Union address in Washington and a Wednesday White House visit — honors extended to the gold medalists by President Donald Trump. Critics on social media framed these appearances through a political lens; supporters and teammates, including Hughes, framed them as proud moments to represent the United States.
Hughes didn’t shy away from the patriotic dimension of those opportunities. “We’re so proud to represent the U.S. and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic,” he said, capturing the pride felt by his teammates and fans alike.
On the ice, Hughes’ performance at the Olympics was nothing short of legendary. His sudden-death goal with 1:41 elapsed in overtime not only clinched the gold for Team USA but etched his name into hockey history alongside legends of the sport. The United States’ gold medal campaign was marked by strong goaltending, opportunistic scoring and a balanced roster effort that overcame adversity and stiff competition from perennial powerhouse Canada.
As Team USA’s celebrations transition from Miami nightlife to the nation’s capital, Hughes’ response served as a unifying message: amid controversy and online debate, the players remain focused on the honor of wearing the stars and stripes.
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