It’s safe to say Team USA hockey player Quinn Hughes didn’t hold back in celebrating his team’s gold medal win.
Hughes, 26, looked and sounded drunk during an on-air interview with NBC’s Mike Tirico after the United States’ 2-1 overtime win over Canada in the gold medal game.
His brother and teammate, Jack Hughes, and teammate Connor Hellebuyck appeared to be helping Quinn stand during the interview as he slurred his words in response to Tirico, 59.
“I mean it’s just so special and I want to thank our troops for allowing us to play this game,” Quinn said, repeating, “Our troops for allowing us to play this game.”
He added, “Thank all the support back home but [it’s] very special to be a part of this group and it’s awesome, we’re gold medal.”
“And shoutout Larks,” Quinn finished as center Dylan Larkin interrupted the interview, beer in hand.
“I gotta say hi to Mike Tirico!” shouted Larkin, 29. “Mikey! Let’s go, baby! Number One!”
Team USA’s gold medal win was its first in men’s ice hockey since the 1980 in Lake Placid. The players were able to offer more coherent thoughts during the postgame press conference, before the party raged on.
“Your whole life you’re always going up against things,” said Jack, 24, who scored the winning goal. “There’s always new adversities, new challenges. Every single player in that game went through so many things. … It’s a journey, the whole lifetime of work. I’m just a part of that. I think every single person in that game can be proud. Obviously, a great game and we had the better outcome but just a great game between USA and Canada.”
Head coach Mike Sullivan added that the team was able to sense the excitement back home for the final game from Italy.
“I can’t tell you how many texts I’ve received over the last day or so about watch parties at 8 o’clock in the morning,” he said. “I think from a viewership standpoint, the United States, there were a lot of people paying attention, the president included.”
President Donald Trump called the team shortly after the game, inviting them to the White House to celebrate the victory.
“Congratulations, that was an unbelievable game,” Trump, 79, told the team. “Everyone that called me said, ‘I’m watching the hockey game.’ I don’t know of anybody who wasn’t. You’re going to be proud of that game for 50 years as you grow older. It was amazing. We love you guys. Congratulations and I hope to see you.”
He also invited the team to the State of the Union, which Trump will give on Tuesday, February 24. The players told him they would need to be picked up in Miami, where they plan to celebrate at the famous E11VEN nightclub.
“The nice thing about being president is I can tell you that you don’t have to worry about the weather or landing,” Trump said.
FBI director Kash Patel, who was celebrating with the team, assured the President, “I’m f***in’ on it.”
