Minnesota Wild

Quinn Hughes Unleashes on Critics of Jack Hughes After Golden Goal

Quinn Hughes is fed up with the criticism aimed at his brother — and now golden-goal scorer — Jack Hughes.

by
Jackson Weber
February 22, 2026

No player changed their reputation at the 2026 Winter Olympics more than Jack Hughes. The hockey world — New Jersey Devils and American hockey fans included — were pretty down on the superstar center heading into the tournament, as he battled through yet another injury-plagued year that was even affecting his play on the ice at times.

Just two weeks ago, there was a lot of negativity surrounding Hughes, who began on the fourth line, but his performance on the international stage — capped off with the golden goal to secure Team USA’s first Olympic gold since 1980 — completely flipped the script.

Jack himself pushed back against his critics after their semifinal win against Slovakia, and on Sunday, it was Quinn Hughes who stood up for him, unleashing on those who had doubted and harped on his brother in recent years.

Hughes said:

“People don’t know s***. There’s a bunch of idiots out there and no one’s rehabbed before. There’s reporters out there saying this and that. They don’t know what it’s like to get surgery for six months, not really feel good for 10 months, and do that back to back… He’s a freaking gamer. He’s always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero,”

The 24-year-old Hughes finished second on Team USA in scoring at the Olympics, with seven points (four goals, three assists) in six games, behind only his brother, who tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists).

Playing alongside Quinn for the first time since 2019 at the World Juniors seemed to bring out the best in Jack, with their chemistry — both on and off the ice — evident throughout.

It has to frustrate Devils GM Tom Fitzgerlad, who had everything set up for Quinn to come join Jack in New Jersey, only to get beaten out by Bill Guerin and the Minnesota Wild — which was the start of the Devils’ 2025-26 season spiraling out of control.

For now, the Hughes brothers will be celebrating Olympic gold, but their success as teammates only reinforces how much they enjoy and thrive playing together. It feels like a foregone conclusion that at some point, these two will link up in the NHL. The real question is: where will that happen?

Next: Nathan MacKinnon Backs Crosby’s Choice to Sit Out Gold Medal Game