While two Hughes brothers were winning gold in Milan for USA hockey, the third was back in New Jersey.
Luke Hughes, a defenseman with the Devils, was blown away by the performance of brothers Quinn and Jack, especially the latter’s overtime winner versus Canada in Sunday’s gold medal game.
“For me, I was just in shock,” Luke told reporters Sunday. “I was jumping up and down, and everyone was celebrating. I’m just so happy and so proud of those guys. It’s such a great accomplishment. I think we’re all still in shock that they won it in that fashion.”
“(Jack’s) an unbelievable player, and obviously he’s had a lot of adversity the last couple years, but he’s a game-time player,” Luke added about Jack, his teammate on the Devils. “It’s just great to see guys in your country win a gold like that. I don’t even know what to say.”
In Milan, Jack and Quinn stole the show, tying for the team lead with seven points apiece.
Just 1:41 into three-on-three overtime play against Canada, Jack slotted home the game-winner to give the U.S. its first men’s hockey gold since 1980.
Jack and Quinn weren’t the only Hughes family members to win gold in Milan, either. Their mother, Ellen-Weinberg Hughes, is a player development consultant for the U.S. women’s hockey team, which also won gold.
Fittingly, the women’s squad also claimed gold over Canada in overtime on Megan Keller’s score.
Luke gave praise to his mother as well.
“I’m just so proud of her and the work that she’s put in with those girls. I know they really utilize her and she’s a big part, but also it’s an honor for both teams to bring home the gold,” Luke said Sunday.
Luke, in his fourth year with New Jersey, has five goals and 21 assists in 49 games, as opposed to Jack’s 12 and 24. Quinn, a defender for the Wild, has racked up 52 assists as well.
Luke is rehabbing from a dislocated shoulder, so he mentioned Sunday that he watched some of Team USA’s games “from the couch” during his time off.
With Team USA’s two hockey medals, the U.S. slotted in second behind Norway with 12 golds and 33 total medals in the final count.
And the Hughes brothers were a major factor in that success.