Brady Tkachuk and the Hughes family at the Olympics: Jim Hughes watching sons Jack and Quinn shine

brady tkachuk appears in related headlines, but this report centers on Jim Hughes and his family at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where the U. S. women won gold and the U. S. men advanced to the semifinals.

Hughes family at the center of Team USA’s Olympic run

Jim Hughes said, “We have the Olympic spirit, ” as he and his wife Ellen moved through the tournament supporting their sons and other players. Ellen served as a consultant for the U. S. women’s hockey team, which won the gold medal with a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada. Jim and Ellen sat with family and friends at men’s games, sometimes alongside other parents and team management.

Brady Tkachuk in related headlines

Jack and Quinn Hughes were major contributors to Team USA’s recent wins. In the U. S. men’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Sweden, both Jack and Quinn assisted on Dylan Larkin’s opening goal, and Quinn finished the game by scoring the overtime winner. Quinn has six points (one goal, five assists) in four games, tied with Auston Matthews (three goals, three assists) for the U. S. lead; Jack has four points (one goal, three assists).

Summer skates, visiting players and a busy hockey household

Jim runs summer skates at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan and is the director of player development for CAA Hockey. Players have used the Hughes household and Jim’s summer sessions as preparation: Team Canada center Macklin Celebrini stayed at the Hughes home and Roman Josi has attended summer skates. A core group of regulars at Jim’s program includes Dylan Larkin, Cole Caufield, Kyle Connor, Andrew Copp, Alex DeBrincat, Adam Fantilli, Connor Hellebuyck, Tyler Motte, Josh Norris, Alex Turcotte, Zach Werenski and Trevor Zegras.

Werenski noted that the overtime winner by Quinn was not a surprise: “I’ve seen him do it every day in the summer, ” he said, pointing to the repetition that prepared Quinn for the moment on the Olympic stage.

The Hugheses have balanced roles during the Games. Ellen sat with the women’s management group during games, while Jim split his time supporting Jack and Quinn and spending time with family and friends in the stands; on occasion he was seated beside Stan Bowman, part of the men’s management group.

For the U. S. men, the immediate next test is the semifinal against Slovakia at Santagiulia Arena on Friday at 3: 10 p. m. ET. The Hughes family, still in Milan for Milano Cortina 2026, will be in the arena as Jack and Quinn aim to carry the team into the Olympic final.