Quinn Hughes is unorthodox.
He’s quiet. He’s a daydreamer.
When the rest of the United States of America men’s hockey team are flexing at the camera or trash-talking their adversary, Hughes is just there.
His younger brother, Jack, also on the team, is the complete opposite. He’s charismatic in interviews, allegedly dating pop star Tate McRae, and fits the reality-show feel that many of the other players on the USA possess.
Quinn, on the other hand, is there.
When asked earlier in the tournament how he deals with all the jokes and antics on the ice, Hughes shrugged, saying he’s too busy in his world “seeing ghosts” to pay attention to all the theatrics.
But on Thursday, it was Hughes who showed the most emotion for the team in the quarterfinal clash with Sweden.
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In overtime with the coach asking him to get off the ice, Hughes waved him off and stayed in the game, scoring the game-winning goal on the next shift.
Although he doesn’t outwardly show it like the others, Team USA means a lot to Hughes. And he showed it through his actions against Sweden.
“It’s relief, I’m just really enjoying this group and these guys,” he answered after asked how he felt scoring the game-winner. “I’m trying to extend it as long as I can.”
Hughes is one of the best defensemen in the NHL and was recently traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild.
After missing the Four Nations tournament last year due to injury, representing his country is a special moment for Hughes alongside his brother. With two games left to go in the competition, he wants to make everyone back at home proud.
“It’s special,” Hughes said when inquired about the ‘U-S-A!’ chants in Milan. “I love the U.S., and it’s the greatest country in the world, so I’m happy to represent it here with these guys.
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