Jack Hughes Scores Gold-Winning Goal for Team USA Against Canada

The New Jersey Devils center lost two teeth in the dramatic Olympic victory

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Jack Hughes, the 24-year-old center for the New Jersey Devils, scored the game-winning goal for Team USA in overtime to defeat Canada 2-1 and win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Hughes, who comes from a family of hockey players, lost two of his front teeth earlier in the game after taking a stick to the face, but returned to the ice and delivered the decisive goal just over a minute into overtime to secure the victory for the United States.

Why it matters

Hughes' heroics in the gold-medal game have cemented his status as a rising star in the NHL and on the international stage. The dramatic overtime winner against the rival Canadians will only further boost his profile, especially among fans of his rumored girlfriend, singer Tate McRae. Hughes' performance also highlights the depth of hockey talent in the United States, with the Hughes family producing multiple elite players.

The details

In the gold-medal match against Canada, Hughes briefly feared he had cost his team the game after accidentally striking a Canadian player with his stick. However, the Canadians did not capitalize, and the match went into overtime. Earlier in the game, Hughes had taken a stick to the face, leaving his mouth bloody and two front teeth missing. Just over a minute into 3-on-3 overtime, Hughes received a decisive pass and fired a shot past Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington to secure the 2-1 victory for the United States.

  • Jack Hughes was born on May 14, 2001 in Orlando, Florida.
  • Hughes was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
  • At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Hughes began the tournament on the fourth line before earning a frontline role.
  • In the gold-medal match against Canada, Hughes lost two teeth after taking a stick to the face.
  • Just over a minute into overtime, Hughes scored the game-winning goal to give Team USA the gold medal.

The players

Jack Hughes

A 24-year-old center for the New Jersey Devils who was drafted first overall in 2019 and has represented the United States men's national team.

Jim Hughes

Jack Hughes' father, a former player and team captain at Providence College who later served as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ellen Weinberg-Hughes

Jack Hughes' mother, who played for the United States women's national ice hockey team and won silver at the 1992 World Championship.

Quinn Hughes

Jack Hughes' older brother, who was drafted seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Luke Hughes

Jack Hughes' younger brother, who was drafted fourth overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Jack was at the centre of a lot of the good things that happened for our team. He's a high-stakes player and he brought his very best when the stakes were highest. Tonight was a perfect example of that.”

— Mike Sullivan, Team USA Head Coach (ibtimes.co.uk)

“I pictured myself on Barstool being the guy that America hates because Canada scores on the power play.”

— Jack Hughes (ibtimes.co.uk)

“That's hockey. You've got to give him credit.”

— Jordan Binnington, Canadian Goaltender (ibtimes.co.uk)

What’s next

Hughes will return to the New Jersey Devils to continue his NHL career, with the team hoping his Olympic heroics will help propel them to a deep playoff run.

The takeaway

Jack Hughes' dramatic game-winning goal against Canada, which came just after he lost two teeth, solidifies his status as a rising star in the NHL and on the international stage. His performance also highlights the depth of hockey talent in the United States, with the Hughes family producing multiple elite players.