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Jack Hughes was already one of the faces of the National Hockey League, but in recent weeks he has been one of the faces of the United States.
The New Jersey Devils star scored the game-winning overtime goal against Canada minutes after losing his teeth to a high stick to give the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.
The image of Hughes, bloodied and toothless with an American flag draped over his shoulders, has quickly become historic.
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Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates with his national flag after scoring their second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)
Hughes was one of several members of the team who partied in Miami to celebrate their victory before heading to Washington, DC, to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the State of the Union.
In the days that followed, Hughes returned to the NHL and received a standing ovation both in front of his New Jersey faithful and on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and even appeared on “Saturday Night Live.”
It’s quite a change in fame for Hughes, who has also seen his social media following skyrocket – although perhaps his near-confirmed relationship with Tate McRae has added to that.
Appearing at a New York Raising Cane’s with women’s Olympic MVP and gold medalist Caroline Harvey to work a shift, Hughes said his newfound nationwide fame is “honestly, not that wild.” But it’s no secret that it’s definitely different.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils looks on during a game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 7, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“Obviously since we’ve come back to the States, you feel the love, people are still pumped for us. All the people in the streets, they’re like, ‘Thank you.’ They’re so fired up. That’s the best thing for us to hear. That’s the best part of coming home,” Hughes said in Times Square.
The Raising Cane appeared in enemy territory, only about 12 blocks away from his arch-rival New York Rangers’ home arena in Madison Square Garden. But even walking the streets of New York and North Jersey, where many Rangers fans live, Hughes said he gets love from their fans.
“Even Rangers fans, they keep coming up to me like, ‘I’m a diehard Rangers fan, but I have a hard time not rooting for you.’ I know it’s a big fan base too. Just all proud Americans,” Hughes said.
The golden goal even spares Rangers fans quite a bit. Over the weekend, Hughes recorded a hat trick against the Blueshirts in New Jersey, prompting the Devils crowd to break out into USA chants.
Jack Hughes works a “shift” at Raising Cane’s to celebrate his Olympic gold medal. (Repeal of Cane’s)
“It was good. One of my teammates said I ruined the Devils organization because they skip Devils chants, they go straight to ‘USA’ now,” joked Hughes. “It was cool, man, of course, in New Jersey, my fans have been so excited for me and themselves that we won gold.”
