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Jack Hughes has worn a USA shirt before – but next month will be a whole other level.
The New Jersey Devils superstar was part of the US National Development Program Team from 2017 to become the first overall pick in 2019. During that time, he played in several global tournaments, including the 2019 World Juniors, and last year he was part of the 4 Nations tournament.
Last year, Hughes said, was a “pretty crazy build-up”, but the number of nations in next year’s battle for Olympic gold will reach 12, making it a true international competition.
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Jack Hughes of Team United States warms up before the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
“I haven’t really played international since 2019 in the World Juniors. So to be able to play in the Olympics, I mean, it’s the biggest stage as well, so it’s just really exciting and something I’m looking forward to,” Hughes told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview.
The United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden participated in the tournament last year, which was the first time international hockey featured best-in-best competition since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
For Hughes, it was a completely different brand of sport.
“As competitive and fun as the games were. I mean, you have the best players in the world, all in one game, there’s only one puck. It’s just crazy,” Hughes said.
“Like, it’s crazy how fast those games were and how skilled they were and how the smallest plays can make a huge difference or one little mistake can open things up for the other team. So yeah, it’s going to be interesting. Like, we might not even be playing Canada when we’re over there, but you know, those games against Canada in the 4 Nations were as fun as the Olympics, and I definitely want to be a part of the Olympics.”
And at the risk of sounding corny, Hughes might just watch “Miracle” while in Milan to get the patriotic juices flowing.
Jack Hughes of the United States stands on the blue line as the American flag is raised following a 3-1 quarterfinal win against the Czech Republic at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Center on January 2, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Kevin Light/Getty Images)
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“I would say every single player grew up watching Miracle on Ice. It’s like when people ask me what are my Olympic memories, the first thing I say is growing up watching ‘Miracle,’ it’s a legendary movie. When you think of the Olympics, you think of that, and that’s where you want to be a part of.”
However, the Olympics are a challenge. Hughes and his Devils are in the midst of a playoff push, all while Team USA drops the puck in about three weeks. It’s already a season full of late nights and long trips, and the Olympics, for the first time in 12 years, are putting it on NHL players. But with Mucinex Kickstart, Hughes has been able to stay in top form for the Devils and hopes to do so for the United States.
“When I was worn down (earlier in the season), I put some Mucinex Kickstart in me to try to feel better and get ready to feel good enough to play. Honestly, you travel so much, you’re on the road, late nights and stuff, just try to get your rest and feel good. And when you’re under the weather, you just said you’ve got to feel better,” Hughes, so you just have to feel better.
It’s also sure to be a whirlwind of emotions and pressure from now until April (hopefully June, for Hughes’ sake).
“You don’t want to overlook the season at all because you still have three weeks to a month before we can go over to the Olympics. It’s kind of like you have this looming thing coming into the Olympics, it’s such an exciting time and you’re so excited to be a part of it. But you can’t look past your NHL schedule because that’s the most important thing,” Hughes said. “And you know, with New Jersey, we’re trying to find wins and win hockey games, start playing a little bit better.
Jack Hughes of Team United States skates on a forecheck during the second period of the 4 Nations Face-Off between Team Sweden and Team United States at TD Garden on February 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
“So the next few weeks are super important for the rest of our year. We’ve got to really dig in the next three weeks before we go on break for the Olympics, but I think it’s all really exciting. You get to play in the NHL and then you get a break and then we have to play the Olympics and then we come back and we have a crazy fun playoff in a couple of months.”
