Jack Hughes speaks out as Jake Guentzel, and Team USA push back on State of the Union backlash

Jack Hughes is speaking out after backlash over the men’s hockey team’s reaction to President Donald Trump’s comments about the US women’s hockey team.

The controversy followed Team USA’s gold medal win over Canada, when Trump invited the men’s team to the State of the Union address.

During the call, Trump said: "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that," adding jokingly:"I do believe I probably would be impeached."

The players’ laughter in a viral locker room video sparked criticism online.

"Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Olympic Village, I think we are so tight with their group," Hughes said in an interview with his brother Quinn.

"People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them."

At a team event, Hughes added: "Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today. People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing."

Quinn Hughes confirmed the team will attend the State of the Union, saying: "We're excited to go. It's not something you get to do every Tuesday. It's going to be special for us."