“Charlie [McAvoy] got hurt so [the Team USA staff] were like ‘hey, do you wanna come play?’ I’m like, of course I’ll play, but I haven’t been on the ice for like 20 days. And [Jim Rutherford] was like ‘I don’t think you’re gonna be able to play in that intensity.'” Hughes said during an appearance on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
He went on to add, I mean, I don’t think they did want me to play, just because they wanted me to be fresh, and they knew I wasn’t 100%. So, I mean, I can’t really blame them for that.
No, no, they didn’t block me. That’s the truth. Jim and Patrik [Allvin] were very respectful.”