Jack Hughes was overwhelmed with American pride after scoring the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime against Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning Team USA its first goal medal in men’s hockey in 46 years.
“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes, 24, told NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen shortly after the game. “I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. We had so much support from ex-players. I’m so proud to be an American today.”
Hughes, who moved to Michigan during high school to play for the United States National Team Development Program, scored the gold medal-clinching goal sans multiple teeth knocked out after being hit with a high stick by Canada’s Sam Bennett in the third period.
In his postgame interview with Tappen, 44, Hughes credited the play of Team USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck, a native of Commerce Township, Michigan.
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player tonight by a mile. Unbelievable game. Unreal game by our team. That’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there.”
Hughes continued, “That’s a great Canadian team, but we’re USA. We’re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country.”
The win earned the Americans their first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 in Lake Placid, when Team USA beat the Soviet Union in the game iconically known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
“That’s exactly how we wanted it to go,” Hughes said of the game. “We wanted to go through Canada and beat them. It could have went either way tonight. That’s an unbelievable win for the Americans.”
Jack, a star for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, played on Team USA alongside his older brother, Quinn Hughes, who plays for the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. Quinn, 26, scored the overtime game-winning goal for the Americans in the quarterfinal round against Team Sweden on Wednesday, February 18.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly before the 2026 Olympics, Jack explained how the Games were going to be a family affair.
“A bunch of my cousins, aunts and uncles are making the trip,” Jack said. “We got some friends coming over, too. I have a lot of people coming over because all the people in our lives are so excited to be a part of this. It’s such a special event. You never know if we’ll be able to go back.”
NHL players participated in the Olympics this year for the first time since the 2014 Games in Sochi.
Jack gushed about the bond he and Quinn, 26, share with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, another pair of superstar brothers on Team USA.
“We’re really close with them from over the years,” Jack said. “Quinn lived with the Tkachuks when he was with [the U.S. National Team Development Program]. Matthew’s been a really good role model for us over the years. I know they’re excited to be a part of it.”
Jack added, “Everybody knows how the Tkachuks are. They’ll be fun to have on our team.”
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