What ex-Canucks' Hughes and Miller said after their golden Olympic experience
The Olympic gold medal game in men’s hockey didn’t include any current Canucks, but it did feature three notable former players that used to call Vancouver home.
While Bo Horvat and Team Canada suffered heartbreak, Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller will leave Milan with gold medals around their necks.
Hughes had a terrific tournament, leading the Americans in scoring with eight points (1-7-8) in six games. He registered an assist on USA’s first goal in the gold medal game and scored the overtime winner against Sweden in the quarter-final.
Then he got to watch his brother, Jack, score the golden goal in the championship game.
“I just can’t believe it,” Quinn said of Jack’s goal.
Speaking of family, that’s how Hughes described USA Hockey.
During their team as Canucks, Hughes and Miller were part of the most dysfunctional dressing room in hockey. Interestingly enough, both players noted how tight the American room was.
“I’ve known some of these guys since I was 6-7 years old, and really felt like a family,” said Hughes.
“This group is so tight,” Miller added. “Seems like we play together all year round in that locker room. It’s that type of feel.”
This is just the second time the Americans have won a best-on-best tournament, with the first coming in 1996 at the World Cup of Hockey. Two leaders of that team, Brian Leetch and Chris Chelios, spoke to Team USA via video call during the tournament.
“Pretty much before every game we FaceTimed them,” Hughes said.
“I can’t believe it happened”
J.T. Miller played a smaller role in the American victory, but he was as excited as anyone to see the puck go in the net in overtime.
“I told the guys, if we score I’m first guy [on the ice]. I’m kicking people off the bench. I hope I didn’t kick anybody. I lost my mind. Once I got out there, I didn’t know who to go to,” he said.
Miller, who turns 33 next month, realizes this could be his last time representing his country.
“It’s emotional, you know? To put this jersey on, you don’t know if you’ll ever get a crack to do it again… Just so thankful, lucky, and I can’t believe it happened. This is amazing.”
Given the way his NHL season has gone — the New York Rangers currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference — this was extra gratifying.
“In New York this year, it’s been easy to question everything you do. It’s been hard,” said Miller. “I think when you come here, you put that stuff aside. Now you got a job to do. Just total validation and confidence that you can still play with some swagger and some confidence no matter what you’re asked to do.”