Jack Hughes became a national hero at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina after scoring the dramatic game-winning overtime goal. He, a 24-year-old, is the center for the New Jersey Devils and member of the United States men’s national ice hockey team and awarded the United States its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.
The 2-1 win over rivals Canada not only marked a historic national achievement but also instantly elevated Hughes’ standing in U.S. hockey lore. His goal came less than two minutes into overtime and earned a tense, hard-fought final in which the Americans fought back after being outplayed for stretches of the game.
The performance ended a 46-year gold-medal drought and put Hughes at the center of one of the most thrilling moments of the Games.
Celebrations Across the Country and Abroad
Hughes and his teammates embarked on a quick celebration tour after the victory that included places in Miami, Florida, and a visit to the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., where several U.S. Olympians were honored.
The buzz around Hughes expanded beyond just hockey fans. Celebrations were covered significantly and ignited patriotic excitement across the country. In Newark, supporters dressed in red, white, and blue, waving American flags and holding special signs featuring Hughes draped in the U.S. flag. Fans chanted “U-S-A” and gave him standing ovations, emphasizing how deeply his performance resonated with supporters.
Premiere Ceremony in New Jersey
The Devils organization hosted an emotional pregame ceremony at the Prudential Center before their matchup with the Buffalo Sabres in New Jersey.
Hughes was celebrated alongside other Devils players who participated in the Olympics, but it was his gold-medal heroics that brought the loudest ovation. The celebration included a brief skate with Buffalo forward Tage Thompson, who was also part of Team USA, and the crowd erupted in applause and chants of “USA” as Hughes took center ice.
He addressed the home fans with heartfelt remarks, saying he was “so proud” of both the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams for bringing gold medals back to America and expressing deep gratitude for the support from New Jersey fans.
During the ceremony, Devils staff placed custom cards on seats featuring an iconic image of Hughes with the American flag and the phrase “Made in Jersey,” highlighting the pride the organization and fans feel in his accomplishments. This celebration served as a homecoming moment for Hughes, who returned to applause, cheers, and widespread appreciation for his Olympic performance.
Broader Reactions and Nuanced Context
While the overwhelming reaction was celebratory, some aspects of Hughes’ return were mixed in broader discourse. For instance, Gov. Mikie Sherrill — invited to participate in the ceremony — was booed by parts of the crowd, depicting how sporting events can intersect with local political sentiments. Nevertheless, Hughes’ emotional speech and interactions with fans largely dominated the narrative, centering his role as a unifying figure.Across media coverage, Hughes’ return has been framed not just as a sports achievement but as a symbolic moment of national pride. It reinforced both his stature within hockey and the joy of a long-awaited Olympic triumph for U.S. men’s hockey.
