Jack Hughes Celebrates USA Hockey's Olympic Gold

The New Jersey Devils star spoke proudly of both the men's and women's teams' victories in Italy.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Jack Hughes, the New Jersey Devils center who scored the game-winning goal for the U.S. men's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics, addressed a raucous home crowd at Prudential Center on Wednesday night. During his speech, Hughes expressed pride for both the men's and women's U.S. hockey teams, which won gold medals in thrilling overtime victories in Milan, Italy.

Why it matters

Hughes' celebration of the U.S. hockey teams' success highlights the national pride and unity the Olympic victories have brought, transcending politics. The joint accomplishments of the men's and women's squads have resonated across the country.

The details

At the Devils' game against the Sabres, Hughes took the ice to thunderous applause and thanked the crowd for their support, saying he was "so proud and so happy that the men's and women's USA hockey teams brought the gold medals back." The American hockey teams have drawn additional attention after President Donald Trump joked about inviting both squads to the State of the Union address, leading to some backlash that Hughes and others have sought to downplay.

  • On Sunday, February 23, 2026, the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams won gold medals in overtime at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
  • On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Jack Hughes addressed the crowd at Prudential Center before the Devils' game against the Sabres.

The players

Jack Hughes

A center for the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal for the U.S. men's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Hilary Knight

The captain of the U.S. women's hockey team, which won gold at the 2026 Olympics.

Ellen Hughes

The mother of Jack and Quinn Hughes, who has ties to both the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams as a former player and consultant.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who joked about inviting both the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams to the State of the Union address after their Olympic victories.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so proud and I'm so happy that the men's and women's USA hockey teams brought the gold medals back. You guys are making me emotional, but I'm so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils. And I'm so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey — so proud. From the bottom of my heart, all of my teammates, USA teammates, we just want to thank you guys for all the love and support. We feel it.”

— Jack Hughes

“I think there's a genuine level of support there and respect. I think that's being overshadowed by a quick lapse. I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it's a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowed that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”

— Hilary Knight, Captain, U.S. Women's Hockey Team (ESPN)

“At the end of the day, it's just about the country...and the moment that he players these players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country. People that cheered on that don't watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that's all both the men's team and the women's team care about.”

— Ellen Hughes, Mother of Jack and Quinn Hughes (Today Show)

What’s next

The U.S. men's and women's hockey teams are expected to be honored at the White House in the coming weeks after their Olympic gold medal victories.

The takeaway

Jack Hughes' emotional celebration of the U.S. hockey teams' Olympic triumphs underscores the powerful sense of national pride and unity the victories have generated, transcending politics and bringing Americans together around the shared accomplishments of the men's and women's squads.