Hughes Family Shines at 2026 Winter Olympics

Three Hughes siblings compete for Team USA in hockey, while their mom coaches the women's team.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Hughes family is making history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, with brothers Jack and Quinn playing for the U.S. men's hockey team, while their mother Ellen Weinberg-Hughes is a development coach for the U.S. women's hockey team. The family's hockey pedigree runs deep, with the three brothers all being first-round NHL draft picks and their father Jim previously working in player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Why it matters

The Hughes family's Olympic success highlights the rise of American hockey dynasties and the growing prominence of multi-sport athletic families. Their story also showcases the Hughes' commitment to the sport and the sacrifices the family has made to reach the pinnacle of international competition.

The details

Jack and Quinn Hughes are both playing for the U.S. men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, while their mother Ellen Weinberg-Hughes is a development coach for the U.S. women's hockey team. The Hughes brothers come from a long line of hockey talent - their father Jim played college hockey and later worked in player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and their older brother Luke was also a first-round NHL draft pick. The family's Olympic appearance marks the first time three siblings from the same American family have competed at the Winter Games.

  • The Hughes brothers were all first-round NHL draft picks between 2018-2021.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy.
  • Ellen Weinberg-Hughes previously played for the U.S. women's national hockey team, winning a silver medal at the 1992 IIHF World Women's Championship.

The players

Jack Hughes

The eldest Hughes brother, who was drafted 7th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2018 and now plays for the Minnesota Wild.

Quinn Hughes

The middle Hughes brother, who was drafted 1st overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019.

Ellen Weinberg-Hughes

The mother of the Hughes brothers, who is a development coach for the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jim Hughes

The father of the Hughes brothers, who previously worked in player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Luke Hughes

The youngest Hughes brother, who was drafted 4th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2021 and is currently on long-term injured reserve.

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What they’re saying

“I think all three of us have come to try to win the gold medal. That's the most important thing: coming here and trying to do well.”

— Jack Hughes (Vogue)

“Doing this with Quinn, though...it is super special, and it's something that I've really been looking forward to.”

— Jack Hughes (Vogue)

“We didn't know what sport it would be, but I guess we thought our kids would be in athletics, some sort of competitive sports. And my wife got them involved in skating when they were very young. That's what we did. We were a hockey family.”

— Jim Hughes (2018 interview)

What’s next

The Hughes brothers will compete in the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, while their mother Ellen Weinberg-Hughes will continue her coaching duties with the U.S. women's hockey team.

The takeaway

The Hughes family's success at the 2026 Winter Olympics showcases the power of multi-generational athletic talent and the enduring appeal of hockey in American sports culture. Their story inspires hope that more families will follow in their footsteps, using their shared passion for sports to achieve greatness on the world stage.