The United States of America men’s hockey team is a rowdy bunch.
The Tkachuk brothers are trash-talking opponents and then chest-bumping repeatedly.
Jack Eichel is constantly jawing at players.
Jack Hughes is under the microscope with his possible romance with pop star Tate McRae.
And then there is his older brother, Quinn Hughes, now of the Minnesota Wild.
He sees dead people, apparently.
More news: Team USA Matthew Tkachuk’s Savage Olympic Comment to NHL Rival Goes Viral
More news: Olympics Controversy Erupts With Arena Blamed for Goal Against Team USA
After defeating Germany to go undefeated in the group stage on Sunday, the former Norris Trophy winner for best defenseman in the NHL was asked about how he fits into the energetic team dynamic.
Whereas the rest of the team, especially the Tkachuks, are in your face and loud, the elder Hughes often looks like the kid in the back of the class daydreaming about what it would be like to be living with the dinosaurs.
Quinn was asked if he ever laughs at the absurdity of his teammates’ exploits on the ice during the game.
“Sometimes you hear some funny stuff out there, but yeah,” he said. “As the people say, I’m usually seeing ghosts, so I’m usually focused on myself.”
While Matthew Tkachuk was making fun of Leon Draisaitl for being a “bridesmaid and never a bride” for his lack of championships, Hughes was in his own world.
Possibly seeing ghosts. Maybe thinking about what would happen if aliens invaded the Earth as the game was going on. Could have been thinking about what kind of pasta he’d eat after the game was over.
Quinn, though, as straightforward as he is compared to the wacky characters around him, might be the most important player on Team USA.
As the quarterback on the blue line for the Americans, he could be the X-factor against Canada if they meet in the gold medal game. While the Canadians did beat the USA in the Four Nations finals, Quinn didn’t play due to injury. He has 57 points in 52 games this year on the Vancouver Canucks and Wild.
With him back in the lineup and being that spine that holds together everything chaotic about this rowdy group of Americans, they could be aiming for their first gold since 1980.
As long as the ghosts on the ice are friendly.
Read the full article here
