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NEWARK, NJ – Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils returned to NHL action on Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres, the first game since the start of the Olympic break. Safe to say, a lot has happened since Hughes last pulled the New Jersey jersey over his head and skated onto the Prudential Center ice.
Hughes scored the gold medal-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 24-year-old is now arguably America’s biggest hockey star thanks to his heroics in Milan, and fans in Newark let him know.
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Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils skates during warmups before the NHL regular season game at the Prudential Center on February 25, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images)
Before the puck drop against Buffalo, the Devils honored all of their 2026 Olympians, including those representing foreign nations. As expected, no one received a warmer reception from the crowd than Hughes.
The pregame ceremony brought fans right back to Sunday morning. As the gold medal-winning goal played on the Jumbotron, fans cheered as if it happened in real time. “USA” chant after “USA” chant echoed throughout the arena, which was filled with American flags.
Hughes first grabbed Team USA teammate Tage Thompson from the visiting Buffalo Sabres’ bench and let fans acknowledge him before grabbing the microphone. He almost broke down in tears while addressing the audience.
Days to celebrate the gold medal
Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils skates during warmups before the NHL regular season game at the Prudential Center on February 25, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images)
It’s been a whirlwind for Team USA since winning the gold medal on Sunday in Italy. The team traveled back to the US and partied in Miami on Monday before most of the team headed up to Washington, DC for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Despite criticism from the left-wing media for meeting the president of the United States after delivering the country’s first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980, Hughes has stood strong in his patriotism.
“Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the United States and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and it’s so patriotic,” Hughes said.
Players like Hughes, whose NHL team returned to action Wednesday, had a very tight turnaround to get back on the ice. While it may take a few shifts for the boys to get their legs back, it’s hard to imagine any American hockey fans complaining.
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)
Fans in New Jersey are certainly happy to have their American hero back on the ice.
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