During the Milan Cortina Olympics, Team USA defenseman Quinn Hughes has gone viral for his blank stares. It has left many fans wondering if he’s witnessing a phantom.
The Minnesota Wild star has seen the memes and has had a good sense of humor about them.
“Sometimes you hear some funny stuff out there, but yeah … as the people say, I’m usually seeing ghosts, so I’m usually focused on myself,” Hughes said this past Sunday, via Matt Porter of The Boston Globe.
Hughes’ ability to zone out proved pivotal in Team USA’s quarterfinal matchup against Sweden on Wednesday. Without it, the Americans may have blown their chances at their first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.
Quinn Hughes came in clutch at the Olympic quarterfinal
The Americans led the Swedes 1-0 throughout most of the game after center Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings) scored 11:03 into the second period. Near the end of the game, though, Team USA nearly folded.
Swedish center Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers) scored 18:29 into the third period on a slap shot. That sent the game into overtime.