Team USA won a gold medal on Sunday on the back of New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes. He was one of the best forwards in the tournament, and he came through for his team during the most important moment.
Part of the thrill for Jack Hughes has been playing with his brother Quinn. On and off the ice, they make a great brotherly duo. Each of them has a great quote, plays hard, and displays a tremendous amount of skill daily.
Shortly after the game ended, they were selected to hit the media podium with head coach Mike Sullivan and captain Auston Matthews. It was mostly a playful time for them, coming off such an incredible accomplishment.
However, one question forced the Hughes brothers to demonstrate their commitment to being great teammates. For that matter, it's proof that they are wonderful human beings off the ice.
No men's hockey player in the world takes more flak than Auston Matthews. It is difficult to be the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the media age. Unless they are winning the Stanley Cup, which they haven't done since NHL expansion in 1967, they are under the spotlight of negativity.
Following the departure of Mitch Marner, the Leafs are struggling, and it's a media mess. It's an unfair and difficult situation for everyone involved.
Quinn and Jack Hughes back their captain Auston Matthews
One of the reporters in Milan asked Matthews a question about the Maple Leafs and their return to the tough season that they are having with this new winning experience. He was adamant that he'd just like to enjoy the victory he had with Team USA.
"I'm trying to live in the moment, man. Come on." Matthews said to the question with half a smirk on his face. He is well trained in the art of dealing with the scrutiny of a big market, but this felt out of left field. After that, the Hughes brothers chimed in in defense of their captain.
"It doesn't matter what anyone says now," Jack Hughes said. "Auston Matthews is a winner. Auston Matthews is an Olympic gold medalist. He's a winner."
There is no hiding his true feelings about the way Matthews is treated. He knows how good a player he is; he saw it firsthand in Milan. Immediately after Jack Hughes finished speaking, Quinn Hughes jumped in with a defense of his own.
"Yeah, that's what the media in Toronto should be talking about," Quinn Hughes said. Auston Matthews led us to a championship."
Matthews is just 28 years old and has 427 goals and 348 assists for 775 points in 680 career games. He is on pace to have a 700+ goal career and well over 1200 points. He also has a Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), three Rocket Richards (leading NHL goal scorer), and one Hart Trophy (NHL MVP).
Is Matthews blameless for some of Toronto's playoff shortcomings? Of course not. However, he is far from the true problem that lies within that organization. If anything, he's going to be the one to get them out of it.
Even with all of the playoff disappointment, they have still made the playoffs every year since Matthews was the number one pick in 2016. That's more than any previous Leafs core can say.
Jack and Quinn know that he is treated unfairly as the captain of the NHL's most visible team, but they chose not to stand for it on a big stage following a monumental win. Every player in every sport wants teammates like them.