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Simone Biles Makes Surprise Appearance With Husband Jonathan Owens at Winter Olympics
Quinn Hughes is giving Olympic spirit a new meaning.
Because yes, the Team USA hockey star is aware of the running online joke that his somewhat vacant stare from the sidelines makes it look like he is being haunted by ghosts—something he confirmed while reflecting on the colorful language he hears on the ice from fellow athletes at the 2026 Olympics.
"Sometimes you hear some funny stuff out there," he explained Feb. 15, according to The Boston Globe's Matt Porter, who is currently in Milan for the Winter Games. "But yeah, as the people say, I'm usually seeing ghosts.”
As for why he often appears to be lost in another world? The answer is not, however much fans might joke, that he is hearing the voices of the long-dead.
"I'm usually pretty zoned in on what's going on with myself," he said, "and trying to get ready to do what I need to do."
Although the Minnesota Wild defenseman has proven his weight in gold as the United States continues its winning streak, his haunted-looking stare—which has been an ongoing joke in the NHL since he played for the Vancouver Canucks—has taken center ice even across the Atlantic.
"Confirmed," a Feb. 14 TikTok video of Quinn sitting on the bench read, "the Quinn Hughes ghosts have their visa and went to Italy."
Meanwhile, another user on X teased Feb. 15, "Watching Quinn Hughes communicate with the Victorian ghost children that haunt him has been the highlight of the winter games."
Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images
The 26-year-old has more than his ghost companions by his side, however. In fact, his younger brother Jack Hughes is competing for gold alongside Quinn in Italy.
"I think it's not a shock—it's a work in progress," the New Jersey Devils player told E! News in January of them both being tapped to play for Team USA in Italy. "Quinn was one of the first six players named. Then with where my game's been at, I obviously thought I was in a good spot. But when it gets confirmed, you're just so happy."
And Jack, 24—who plays alongside their younger brother Luke Hughes, 22, on the New Jersey-based team—was thrilled to make the Olympics a family affair.
David Berding/Getty Images
"I never really get to play with him. I only see him like two times during the whole hockey season," he said. "So just to be able to spend the time with him over the two, three weeks and be able to compete with him and play with him—it's a dream for us to play with each other, and to be able to do in the Olympics is extremely special."
As Quinn and Jack prepare to hit the ice Feb. 18 for the quarterfinals—with or without ghosts—keep reading for some candid moments from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Slip Up
U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin, also known as "Quad God," takes an uncharacteristic fall during the men's single free skating competition, ultimately landing him in eighth place.
Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images
Head in the Game
German bobsledder Laura Nolte gears up before training for the monobob, the single-person bobsleigh event for women.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Victory Selfie
Following the women’s snowboard halfpipe competition, Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi poses for picture with Team USA's Chloe Kim and Mitsuki Ono of Japan taken using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition.
Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
From One Olympian to Another
Georgian figure skater Nika Egadze snaps a photo with Simone Biles, the most-decorated gymnast in Olympic history, during the men's singles figure skating competition.
Daniel Kopatsch/VOIGT/Getty Images
You're on Candid Camera
A cameraman films U.S. skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin hugging after the second run of the women's team combined salom event.
Odd ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
A Small Gift
French biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot has some fun with plushies of Milan-Cortina Olympics mascots Milo and Tina, which she received as part of winning the silver medal in the women's biathlon 15km individual event.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Thinking of Home
Skier Dmytro Shepiuk uses a sticky note to send love to his fellow Ukranians after finishing the men's super-G event.
WANG Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
Scream and Shout
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto is surprised by her score in the women's singles free skating team event.
JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/Belga/AFP via Getty Images
All the Emotions
Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam wipes tears from her eyes after learning she set an Olympic record in the women’s 1,000-meter race.
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Big Air
China's Eileen Gu competes in the women's freestyle slopestyle—which earned her a silver medal.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
With Him Always
U.S. skater Maxim Naumov holds a photo of his late parents close after competing in the men's single skating short program.
Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Twists and Turns
A composite image shows off the many tricks seen in the women's freestyle slopestyle.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Pierogi Power
Polish figure skater Ekaterina Kurakova holds up a plushie of a pierogi—widely considered to be Poland's national food—as she celebrates with her teammates during the women's single skating short program.
Tom Weller/Getty Images
It's a Bird, It's a Plane
No, it's Team Austria's ski jumper Julia Muehlbacher.
Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images
Double Trouble
Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp of Austria zoom by during the luge women's doubles.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Say Cheese!
The winners of the figure skating team event snap a selfie with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition while on the podium.
Daniel Kopatsch/VOIGT/GettyImages
Never Give Up
U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn looks determined as she attends a training session days after rupturing her ACL in a crash.
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Ice to See You
Alysa Liu of United States performs the Biellmann spin during the women's single skating short program event.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
So Close
Team Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds has a nail-biting reaction to the curling mixed doubles round robin match against South Korea.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Curl It Like It's Hot
Snoop Dogg, serving as an Olympics correspondent for NBC, tries his hand at curling at a practice.
Tim Clayton/Getty Images
In Sync
U.S. figure skaters and real-life couple Evan Bates and Madison Chock are a perfect match while performing their rhythm ice dance routine.
Federico Manoni/NurPhoto via Getty Images
On the B-rink of History
Laila Edwards, the first Black woman representing the U.S. in Olympic hockey, faces off against Czech player Sara Cajanova during the United States vs. Czech Republic game.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Friendship Knows No Borders
Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli shares a hug with Team Czechia's Jakub Hrones during the men's snowboard big air qualifiers.
Javier SORIANO / AFP via Getty Images
Photo Finish
Bulgarian ski jumper Vladimir Zografski hits the brakes during a training session.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Swept Away With Joy
American curler Korey Dropkin lets out a victorious shout after his team defeats Switzerland in a mixed doubles round bobin match.
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