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Jack Hughes was already one of the faces of the National Hockey League, but in recent weeks he has been one of the faces of the United States.
The New Jersey Devils star, minutes after losing his teeth to a high stick, scored the winning goal in overtime against Canada to give the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980.
The photo of Hughes, bloodied, missing some teeth and with an American flag draped over his shoulders, has quickly become historic.
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Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates with his national flag after scoring his second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)
Hughes was one of several members of that team who partied in Miami to celebrate their victory before heading to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the State of the Union.
In the days that followed, Hughes returned to the NHL and received a standing ovation both in front of his New Jersey faithful and on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins and even appeared on “Saturday Night Live.”
It’s a big change in fame for Hughes, who has also seen his social media following skyrocket, although perhaps his almost confirmed relationship with Tate McRae has added to that.
Appearing at Raising Cane’s in New York with Olympic MVP and gold medalist Caroline Harvey to work a shift, Hughes said her newfound national fame is “honestly, not that wild.” But it’s no secret that it is certainly different.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils watches during a game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 7, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. (Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“Obviously, since we came back to America, you feel the love, people are still excited for us. All the people on the streets say, ‘Thank you.’ They’re very excited. That’s the best thing we can hear. That’s the best part of coming home,” Hughes said in Times Square.
Raising Cane’s appearance was in enemy territory, just 12 blocks from their archrival New York Rangers’ home arena at Madison Square Garden. But even walking the streets of New York and North Jersey, where numerous Rangers fans reside, Hughes said he is receiving love from his fans.
“Even Rangers fans keep coming up to me and saying, ‘I’m a die-hard Rangers fan, but I’m having a hard time not rooting for you.’ I know there’s a great fan base, too. Just all proud Americans,” Hughes said.
The golden goal even saves Rangers fans a bit. Over the weekend, Hughes scored a hat trick against the Blueshirts in New Jersey, prompting the Devils crowd to erupt in All-American chants.
Jack Hughes works a “shift” at Raising Cane’s to celebrate his Olympic gold medal. (Raising the cane)
“That was cool. One of my teammates said I ruined the Devils organization because they’re skipping the Devils chants, now they’re going straight to ‘USA,'” Hughes joked. “That was great, obviously, in New Jersey, my fans were so excited for me and themselves that we won gold.”
