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Team USA star Jack Hughes has finally got his smile back.
The New Jersey Devils center debuted his new smile at the New York Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday, where he and fellow Team USA gold medalist Aerin Frankel threw ceremonial first pitches.
New Jersey Devil Jack Hughes jokes with Olympic hockey player Aerin Frankel before throwing out the first pitch at the home opener between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
“I threw 50 pitches like right before the morning skate,” Hughes told reporters of his prep time. “My shoulder was so sore. So I was like, ‘We’ve got to cool it down.'”
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Hughes, who lost several teeth after taking a stick to the mouth during Team USA’s overtime win over Canada at Milano Cortina, was smiling from ear to ear. He said he had hoped throwing out the first pitch could be an honor he would be a part of after scoring the game-winner in Italy.
Jack Hughes of Team United celebrates after a gold medal win against Canada at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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“Like, when everything broke, this was the only thing I was wondering if it was going to happen,” Hughes said. via NHL.com. “I knew there were a lot of things coming, but I was like, ‘This is the one thing that I always wanted, cut, hoped for, and then I thought, ‘Opening Day. Like, wow. It’s, it’s almost too much, man. It’s a lot of pressure.’
Frankel, the women’s goalie and New York native, was happy to continue the Olympic celebration with Hughes in the Bronx.
New Jersey Devils hockey player and Olympian Jack Hughes prepares to throw out the opening pitch before the Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
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“It’s been great,” she said. “So much fun to be at the Olympics with the men’s team, to support them, watch them win a gold medal. First time in history the women’s and men’s teams have done it together. So it was so much fun to be able to continue the celebration here in New York for opening day.”
