Hughes' Brothers Mom Gives Classy Response About SOTU Controversy

Team USA Women's Hockey Player Development Consultant Praises Unity Between Men's and Women's Teams

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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After President Donald Trump's comments about inviting the women's Olympic hockey team to the State of the Union, the mother of NHL players Jack and Quinn Hughes, who works as a player development consultant for the U.S. women's hockey team, provided a thoughtful response praising the unity and camaraderie between the men's and women's teams.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding Trump's comments highlights the ongoing debate around gender equality and respect for women's sports. Ellen Hughes' perspective provides an inside look at the positive relationship between the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams, which can serve as an example of how sports can bring people together across political divides.

The details

Ellen Hughes, the mother of NHL players Jack and Quinn Hughes, works as a player development consultant for the U.S. women's hockey team. She was not bothered by Trump's comments about having to invite the women's team to the State of the Union, stating that both the men's and women's teams care about "humanity, unity, and the country." Hughes praised the camaraderie and support between the two teams, noting that they shared living spaces and cheered each other on during the Olympics.

  • Three days before Jack Hughes' gold medal-winning goal, Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal for the women's team against Canada.
  • The NHL season resumes on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Ellen Hughes

A player development consultant for the U.S. women's ice hockey team and the mother of NHL players Jack and Quinn Hughes.

Jack Hughes

An NHL player who scored the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. men's hockey team.

Quinn Hughes

An NHL player and Jack Hughes' brother, who scored an overtime goal against Sweden in the Olympics.

Megan Keller

A member of the U.S. women's hockey team who scored the game-winning goal against Canada in the gold medal game.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who commented on inviting the women's hockey team to the State of the Union address.

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What they’re saying

“These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country. People that cheered on that don't watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that's all both the men's team and the women's team care about.”

— Ellen Hughes, Player Development Consultant, Team USA Women's Ice Hockey (TODAY)

“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women — that's what it's all about. And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”

— Ellen Hughes, Player Development Consultant, Team USA Women's Ice Hockey (TODAY)

“And then obviously watch them, me and Jack were there, we watched them win the gold medal. They came to our game and were able to watch us. So just the support back and forth, just to get to know them a little better was special, too.”

— Quinn Hughes (TODAY)

What’s next

The NHL season resumes on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, after the Olympic break.

The takeaway

This story highlights the positive relationship and unity between the U.S. men's and women's Olympic hockey teams, which transcends political divides and showcases the power of sports to bring people together. Ellen Hughes' perspective provides an inspiring example of how athletes can focus on shared values of humanity and country, rather than getting caught up in political controversies.