Ellen Hughes: Mother of Olympic heroes has Dallas roots as Jack and Quinn secure gold

ellen hughes is at the center of a family story that culminated with the United States winning men’s Olympic hockey gold for the first time since 1980, a run energized by brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes at the 2026 Olympics. Their decisive goals and their mother’s deep ties to Dallas have become focal points as the hockey world returns from the Olympic break.

Ellen Weinberg-Hughes and the 2026 Olympic sweep by the Hughes brothers

The United States secured an Olympic men’s hockey gold for the first time since 1980. Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in the U. S. -Canada gold medal matchup that clinched the title, and Quinn Hughes supplied a game-winning overtime goal in the quarterfinals as the U. S. defeated Sweden. Throughout the 2026 Olympic tournament, the U. S. was propelled by brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes.

Ellen Hughes's Dallas childhood and the 1984 Dallas Sting

Ellen Weinberg-Hughes grew up in Dallas and formed part of the legendary 1984 Dallas Sting Soccer Club. She played hockey and soccer throughout her childhood in Dallas and was a standout at soccer. In 1981, a 12-year-old Weinberg-Hughes was featured in a news story as she suited up for her Dallas youth hockey team. One of her hockey team’s coaches was her father, Dr. Warren A. Weinberg. She has said that a goal of hers was to play hockey at the professional level, telling interviewers, “It’s just a goal I want to reach. ”

The Sting’s 1984 world tournament and later connections

Weinberg-Hughes played for the Dallas Sting Soccer Club in the 1980s and was part of the team that captured worldwide attention in 1984 when it won the first FIFA-sanctioned world women’s tournament in Xi’an, China. That tournament played a key role in the development of the first women’s World Cup, which took place in 1991. Weinberg-Hughes can be seen in the Sting team photo from that era, and earlier this year she said her best friend on the Sting was Carla Overbeck.

College, international play and Olympic-era role with the U. S. women

Weinberg-Hughes continued to play multiple sports at the University of New Hampshire from 1988-91. She ultimately played for the United States’ women hockey team and earned a silver medal at the 1992 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Finland. Her husband, Jim, was also a hockey player who previously held a front-office role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Weinberg-Hughes served as a player development consultant for the U. S. women’s hockey team during the Milan Cortina Olympic Games this winter, which allowed her to celebrate the U. S. women’s gold a few days before her sons Jack and Quinn led the U. S. men’s team to victory.

Return to New Jersey: Keefe, Devils veterans and Olympic reflections at practice

Back with their NHL clubs after the Olympic break, the New Jersey Devils held a practice that mixed reflections on the Olympics with preparation for the resumed schedule. Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes’s game-winning goal at the Olympics and discussed the team’s plan as it prepares to resume its NHL schedule. Keefe also provided an update on Luke Hughes as the Devils returned from their extended break and Luke Hughes was back at practice.

Teammates and staff echoed the Olympic storyline: Brett Pesce shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes scoring the game-winning goal for the Americans, Dillon shared his thoughts on seeing Simon Nemec excel at the Olympics, and Cody Glass discussed the upcoming return to play after the Olympic break. Jesper Bratt was back at practice after his time in Milan at the Olympics, and former Devils captain Andy Greene hit the ice with his former team to help out at practice, a blast from the past as Greene suited up with the team. Jake Allen shared his thoughts on the upcoming final stretch of the season, and Connor Brown talked about what it’s like to be back after the extended Olympic break.

Club events and lighter moments tied to the Olympic lull

The team calendar included the Devils’ annual Sweep the Deck gala, with Arseny Gritsyuk touring the event for the first time with Amanda Stein. Off-ice conversations touched on international storylines as well: Brodeur talked about Canada’s goalies and Elias shared an anecdote about a “small pants” Olympic injury story, weaving the Milan Cortina experience into locker-room talk as the NHL season resumes.