James Nichols
If it wasn’t already obvious, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes will visit the White House on Tuesday with the rest of Team USA.
The Devils superstar said to the Daily Mail while celebrating on Monday in Miami, “We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic.”
“No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that.”
Hughes sees the negative criticisms online. Team USA accepted the White House invitation which came from Donald Trumo via a phone call in the locker room after Hughes scored the golden goal to defeat Canada 2-1 on Sunday.
Team USA was also celebrating with FBI Director Kash Patel in the locker room, who fielded the phone call.
“Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today,” Hughes added.
“People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.”
On the discourse that the men and women’s teams have tension after the women politely declined the White House invitation, Hughes dismissed the narrative.
“They’ve got busy schedules, too. Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Athletes’ Village, I think we are so tight with their group,” he said.
It is not yet known if Hughes will be back to play for the Devils on Wednesday when they host the Buffalo Sabres at the Prudential Center.
The Devils have three games this week, two on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues after hosting the Sabres on Wednesday, as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
