Recently, Team USA has been in the spotlight, but not all the news has been positive. Following the men’s hockey team’s triumphant victory, which marked their first gold medal in 46 years, the celebratory atmosphere was disrupted by unexpected visits from Kash Patel, who interrupted the locker room festivities, and a call from Donald Trump that involved some controversial jokes about the women’s team.
In the aftermath, the mood surrounding Team USA has shifted significantly, leading to considerable sociopolitical backlash. Compounding the controversy, some players have chosen to skip returning to their NHL teams to attend the State of the Union address instead.
The players who participated in the Olympics were scheduled to return to their respective teams on Tuesday; however, only five members of Team USA checked in, with notable absences including Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, and Matt Boldy, all of whom have chosen to attend the State of the Union at the invitation of President Trump. This decision has raised concerns about the timeline for their return, especially with a crucial game against the top-ranked Colorado Avalanche looming just 48 hours away.
Amidst these developments, Wild associate coach Jack Capuano addressed the media regarding the availability of the team’s key players. While head coach John Hynes also remains sidelined, Capuano assured fans that he did not anticipate any players missing the game on Thursday.
“I’m not saying that. I don’t know exactly when they’ll rejoin,” Capuano stated, attempting to quell concerns that Hughes, Faber, and Boldy might not be back for the important matchup against Colorado.
Despite the ongoing discussions about players’ political associations during this celebration period, the focus remains on the sport itself. The Minnesota Wild are entering the second half of the season with a legitimate shot at capturing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, boosted by recent acquisitions, including Hughes. They are currently just five points behind the Avalanche in the Central Division, a rivalry that continues to fuel the competitive spirit between the two teams.
With a key opportunity to narrow the point gap on Thursday, the presence of the team’s Olympic stars is vital. Although Capuano did not provide exact timelines for their return, the anticipation remains high that Hughes, Faber, and Boldy will be back in time for the critical game. Given that there are still two days before puck drop, fans are hopeful that these athletes will be ready to channel the energy from their recent gold medal journey into their upcoming performance.