Team USA’s hero felt the love and reciprocated it.
Quinn Hughes spoke glowingly of the reaction he and other men’s hockey stars have received in Italy after his overtime goal secured a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Sweden in the Winter Olympics on Wednesday.
The Americans will now face Slovakia on Friday in the semifinals.
“It’s special,” Hughes told NBC of the crowd’s reaction. “I love the U.S., and it’s the greatest country in the world. Happy to represent it here with these guys and it’s really special.”
How American athletes have spoken about their home country has become a storyline of these 2026 Games and has pitted some competitors against politicians.
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess is among those who have earned scorn for expressing their views after he said he did not agree with everything “going on” in the States.
President Donald Trump responded by calling him a “loser” on his Truth Social channel.
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote earlier this month.
“If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Hughes, a Florida native who plays for the Wild, took the opposite approach, instead gushing about his home country and how proud he is to represent Team USA.
The American men’s hockey team is looking to win gold after flopping in the 2022 tournament, and now stands two wins away from glory.
2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
Hughes saved the day Wednesday with his overtime tally 3:27 into the extra period after Rangers center Mika Zibanejad tied the game for Sweden in the third period.
“Just tried to create some space for myself and was able to get it to my forehand and get a shot off,” he told NBC after the win.
The Americans are sizable favorites against Slovakia before a possible gold-medal clash against Canada, which is also a strong favorite against Finland in the first semifinal Friday.
Team USA last claimed gold in the Winter Olympics during the famous 1980 Lake Placid Games dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.”
Said Hughes to NBC: “I think you just want to move on and be ready to go and get your feet up next 24 hours and be ready to go.”
