Jack Hughes Celebrates Olympic Triumph in New Jersey

Jack Hughes is back in New Jersey, reveling in the limelight once more.

He shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming U.S. hockey team and their recent achievements at the 2026 Olympics.

Returning to the NHL on Wednesday night, Hughes addressed an energetic crowd at Prudential Center just before the Devils faced off against the Sabers.

Having netted the decisive goal against Canada on Sunday, Hughes expressed his pride from center ice, commending both the men’s and women’s teams for securing gold medals in Italy through dramatic overtime performances.

“I’m really proud and incredibly happy that the U.S. teams brought home gold medals,” he exclaimed, generating thunderous applause. “You all are making me emotional, and I’m so honored to represent the New Jersey Devils. I’m also absolutely proud to represent our great state of New Jersey. So proud. My teammates, both from USA hockey and in the Devils, we genuinely appreciate your support. It really means a lot to us.”

The U.S. hockey team has been in the spotlight, especially after President Trump personally congratulated the men’s team for their victory over Canada and extended an invitation for them to attend the upcoming State of the Union address. He humorously quipped that he’d need to invite the women’s team as well, or he might face impeachment, which brought laughs from the victorious players in their locker room.

In the wake of the backlash following the President’s comments, Hughes spoke to ESPN, emphasizing the close relationship between the men’s and women’s teams. “During our time in the Olympic Village, we’ve really bonded,” he mentioned. “We were even hanging out in the cafeteria at 3:30 a.m. after winning our gold. Sure, there’s a lot of negativity out there, but everyone in that locker room knows just how much we support each other. It goes both ways.”

Hilary Knight, captain of the women’s team, reacted to Trump’s jokes on “SportsCenter,” labeling them as “disgusting.” Still, she acknowledged the strong bond between the two squads, saying, “There’s genuine support and respect there, but it’s unfortunate that the quick backlash overshadowed our connection.”

Ellen Hughes, the mother of Jack and Quinn Hughes, has associations with both teams, having been a former U.S. player and now a consultant for the gold-winning women’s squad. Addressing the controversy, she reiterated the importance of focus on the sport itself. “In the grand scheme, it’s the country’s issues that matter… Hockey has the potential to unify everyone, regardless of political stance, and both the men’s and women’s teams are keenly aware of that,” she concluded.