Jack Hughes is speaking out after criticism of the men’s hockey team’s response to President Donald Trump’s comments about the U.S. women’s hockey team.
The controversy followed Team USA’s victory over Canada, when Trump invited the men’s team to the State of the Union address.
During the call, Trump said, “I have to tell you, we have to take the women’s team, you know that,” and jokingly added, “I do believe I’m probably going to get impeached.”
The players’ laughter in a viral locker room video sparked criticism online.
“Our relationship with them, during our time in the Olympic Village, I think we are so close with their group,” Hughes said in an interview with his brother Quinn.
“People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that dressing room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them.”
At a team event, Hughes added: “Everyone is criticizing us these days about all the social media stuff. People are so negative out there and they’re just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.”
Quinn Hughes confirmed that the team will attend the State of the Union, saying, “We’re looking forward to it. It’s not something you have to do every Tuesday. It’s going to be special for us.”
