U.S. Olympic Hockey Hero Jack Hughes Fixes Teeth After Gold-Medal Game

The New Jersey Devils star had his teeth repaired after taking a high stick to the face during the Olympic final.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:04am

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Jack Hughes, the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team's hero who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to secure the gold medal, has had his teeth repaired after taking a high stick to the face during the championship game. Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft who plays for the New Jersey Devils, had several of his teeth chipped in the incident, but he was able to finish the game and score the decisive goal.

Why it matters

Hughes' shattered smile became an iconic image of the U.S. team's victory, highlighting the sacrifices and physical toll athletes endure to compete at the highest levels. The incident also underscores the importance of proper protective equipment, like mouthguards, in contact sports.

The details

During the third period of the gold-medal game against Canada, Hughes took a high stick to the face from Canada's Sam Bennett, chipping several of his teeth. Despite the injury, Hughes went on to score the game-winning goal in overtime, securing the first U.S. men's hockey gold medal since 1980. Hughes returned to his NHL team, the New Jersey Devils, in March and had the dental work done to repair his teeth on March 17.

  • During the third period of the gold-medal game on February 22, 2026, Hughes was hit in the face by a high stick.
  • The U.S. and Canada were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime.
  • Early in overtime, Hughes scored the game-winning goal to secure the gold medal for Team USA.
  • Hughes returned to the New Jersey Devils in March 2026.
  • Hughes had his teeth repaired on March 17, 2026.

The players

Jack Hughes

The U.S. Olympic men's hockey team's hero who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to secure the gold medal. Hughes is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and plays for the New Jersey Devils.

Sam Bennett

A Canadian hockey player who hit Hughes in the face with a high stick during the gold-medal game, chipping several of Hughes' teeth.

Jordan Binnington

The Canadian goaltender who was scored on by Hughes' game-winning goal in overtime.

Zach Werenski

The U.S. hockey player who passed the puck to Hughes, leading to his game-winning goal in overtime.

Ellen Hughes

Jack Hughes' mother, who was glad that her son's injuries were limited to his teeth and that he was wearing a mouthguard.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so happy he wears a mouth guard. I can't even imagine how many more teeth he would have lost without a mouth guard.”

— Ellen Hughes, Jack Hughes' mother

“If you take a slap shot to the face, the velocity of the puck is so great. The energy, therefore, is so great that even though it's protected — and it does protect to some degree — there will be some injury.”

— Dr. Jason Auerbach, Founder of Riverside Oral Surgery, official oral surgeon of the New Jersey Devils

“I feel a ton of pride. I felt a ton of pride for the USA, for him in particular. He's a New Jersey Devil. I live and brought my family up in New Jersey. Yeah, it was a ton of personal pride.”

— Dr. Jason Auerbach, Founder of Riverside Oral Surgery, official oral surgeon of the New Jersey Devils

What’s next

Hughes is finishing the season with the New Jersey Devils, where he has scored 21 points since his Olympic run.

The takeaway

Jack Hughes' shattered smile became an iconic image of the U.S. men's hockey team's gold-medal victory, underscoring the sacrifices and physical toll athletes endure to compete at the highest levels. The incident also highlights the importance of proper protective equipment, like mouthguards, in contact sports.