Key Highlights
- Quinn Hughes of Team USA recorded an assist on Matt Boldy’s game-opening goal in the Olympic gold medal game against Canada.
- Hughes tied Ryan Suter for second-most career assists by an American defenseman during the Olympics with NHL players.
- Hughes’ eight points are now tied for the most points by a defenseman in an Olympics tournament involving NHL players, tying Erik Karlsson and Brian Rafalski from past tournaments.
- Hughes set a new benchmark for the most assists by an American in a single Olympic tournament that involved NHL players.
Quinn Hughes Takes Center Stage at Olympics
You might think this is new, but Quinn Hughes has been on a historic run all along. Heading into Sunday’s Olympic gold medal game against Team Canada, many believed Hughes would play a pivotal role for Team USA. That prediction was spot-on.
Early Game Magic
On that play early in the first period, Hughes recorded an assist on Matt Boldy’s goal, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead. It wasn’t just any assist; it marked his seventh of the Olympics and eighth overall point.
Hughes Breaks Records
With this assist, Hughes tied Ryan Suter (0-7—7 in 12 GP) for second-most career assists by an American defenseman during the Olympics with NHL players. Brian Rafalski still holds the record with five goals and eight points over 17 games.
Most Points in Defenseman History
Hughes’ eight points are now tied for the most points by a defenseman in an Olympics tournament involving NHL players, tying Erik Karlsson (four goals, eight points) from 2014 and Brian Rafalski (same stats) from 2010. That’s not all—his seventh assist also established a new benchmark for the most assists by an American in a single Olympic tournament that involved NHL players.
Unbreakable Streak
Besides, Hughes became the first American skater to have a point streak of six or more games during a single Olympics involving NHL players. He broke a tie with former Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise, who had a five-game point streak in the 2010 Games.
Top Scorer Through the Season
Hughes is one of the top scorers through the first half of the NHL season, logging five goals and 57 points across 52 games. He’s tied for 27th in the league and fourth among all defensemen in scoring.
So there you have it—Quinn Hughes, a true legend on the ice, breaking records at both the Olympics and his home league level. It’s not always easy being the best, but Hughes proves that dedication pays off.
