US hockey stars Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes talk gold medal win, going to SOTU
U.S. men's ice hockey stars Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes are still riding high two days after Team USA clinched the gold medal, their first since 1980, at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics against rival Canada Sunday.
"I watched the replay a couple of times, but since the game ended, we've been so busy. We hung in the locker room and enjoyed the moment," Jack Hughes told "Good Morning America" Tuesday morning.
President Donald Trump invited the men's ice hockey team to the State of the Union and Quinn Hughes confirmed that at least some of the team is planning to attend Tuesday night.
"We're excited to go. I mean, it's something you don't get to do every Tuesday," the 26-year-old said.
The U.S. women's hockey team also won gold in their matchup against Canada on Feb. 19 and the team was later invited to the State of the Union, but has since declined the invitation.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a USA Hockey spokesperson for the U.S. women’s team said in a statement Monday. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
In a press conference Tuesday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson thanked US Olympians and acknowledged both the gold medal-winning men's and women's ice hockey teams.
"You've heard a lot said about the hockey teams, the men and the women [winning] gold was incredible. ... What a great moment it was for America," Johnson said in part, adding of the men's team's planned attendance at the State of the Union. "We'll squeeze in the hockey players tonight and it'll be a great moment for America."
In the meantime, the Hughes brothers said they've been celebrating with their family and with members of the U.S. women's hockey team.
"I know that there's been so much headlines about us and the women's hockey team and you know. the video, but we hung out like we're in the cafeteria with them at 3:30 in the morning," Jack Hughes, 24, added, referring to headlines about FBI director Kash Patel joining the men's team in their post-game celebrations in Italy.
Jack Hughes secured Team USA's victory with his memorable overtime goal Sunday, fulfilling a dream he's had since childhood and a letter he wrote to himself seven years ago.
"I think the biggest stage for us is winning a gold medal for USA Hockey at the Olympics. So I dreamt of it, obviously, when I was six years old, 10 years old," he said. "But to do that with Quinn, and to do that with everyone who supports us, all of our family and friends, I'm just so proud to do it for all of them."
Quinn Hughes said he was "extremely proud" of both his younger brother and their team.
"It's a great group of guys. We've been together for a long time. I've known most of these guys since we were young ... so it's very special for us, and obviously a little bit more special just to see Jack, the game winner there," Quinn Hughes said.
The siblings, who come from a hockey family, which also includes New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, credited their parents -- Jim Hughes and Ellen Hughes, a player development consultant for the U.S. women's hockey team -- for their support throughout the years.
"We're so extremely lucky to have both the parents we had, not only just with their knowledge of the game, but they're just amazing people, and they didn't care whether it was hockey or soccer or lacrosse, whatever it was, they just wanted us to work hard and have fun, and that's what we did," Quinn Hughes said. "And obviously, to be able to celebrate with our parents there was pretty insane. And hopefully get to catch Lukey soon in New York."
