Jack Hughes: Olympic Gold Medal Hero — Everything You Need to Know
Jack Hughes is the most talked-about name in hockey right now. The New Jersey Devils center became a national hero on February 22, 2026, scoring the overtime game-winning goal against Canada to deliver the United States its first men's ice hockey gold medal in 46 years. The 24-year-old played through one of the grittiest moments in Olympic history — getting three teeth knocked out by a high stick and refusing to leave the ice.
Jack Hughes Scores Olympic Golden Goal Despite Losing Teeth
On February 22, Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime of the gold medal game against Canada, giving the U.S. Olympic team their first men's ice hockey gold medal since the 1980 Winter Olympics. Hughes played on despite being high-sticked in the mouth by Canadian forward Sam Bennett in the third period and losing multiple teeth.
"My first thought was, 'draw the penalty,'" Jack said at the USA Men's Hockey Gold Medal Press Conference. "Actually, my first thought was, I looked on the ice and saw my teeth." He added: "This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates. It's unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong."
Team USA's 2-1 Overtime Win Over Canada: A Historic Night
Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had 40 saves in the gold medal game. Hughes praised him immediately after the final buzzer: "Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck. He was our best player tonight by a mile. Unbelievable game. Unreal game by our team. It's just a ballsy, gutsy win. That's American hockey right there."
For the first time in 46 years, the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team won the gold medal after a 2-1 overtime victory over arch-rival Canada in the final medal event of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. The moment was instantly compared to the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
Who Jack Hughes Thought of First After the Golden Goal
In a later interview, Hughes recounted he did not even realize the goal at first. One of the first people he thought of was United States women's player Megan Keller, who had scored the game-winning goal for the women's team earlier in the Games. The tribute to Keller drew widespread admiration and spotlighted the bond between the U.S. men's and women's hockey programs.
The Hughes Brothers: A Milan Olympic Memory
Jack and his brother Quinn Hughes, the 2024 Norris Trophy winner, roomed together in the Olympic Village in Milan. Their father, Jim, flew on the Team USA charter to Italy. "I'm looking forward to that a lot, and just spending time with him," Jack said of sharing a room with Quinn. "It should be a lot of fun."
State of the Union and Good Morning America Controversy
The men's team accepted an invitation to the State of the Union address, while members of the United States women's national ice hockey team declined due to scheduling conflicts, prompting online debate. On Good Morning America, Jack and Quinn said they were excited to attend and framed the trip as an honor and a memory, not a political statement. The comments sparked backlash on social media, with critics split over the brothers' decision.
Jack Hughes NHL Career and Devils Contract
Jack Hughes is a center and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils, drafted first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. He signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension on November 30, 2021. The 24-year-old has 387 points — 153 goals and 234 assists — in 404 regular-season games heading into the Olympic break. He is widely regarded as one of the top two or three centers in the entire NHL and now holds Olympic gold to add to his resume.
