Olympic Hero Jack Hughes Gets Standing Ovation at Pens-Devils Game

The New Jersey Devils star forward was honored for winning gold at the Olympics.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Jack Hughes, the star forward for the New Jersey Devils, received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Penguins-Devils game in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Hughes had just returned from the Olympics, where he scored the game-winning goal for the United States men's hockey team to win the country's first gold medal in 46 years.

Why it matters

Hughes' Olympic heroics have made him a national star, and the standing ovation he received at the NHL game shows the level of adulation and appreciation for his achievement in representing the United States and bringing home the gold medal.

The details

Before the Penguins-Devils game, the teams honored all the players who had represented their countries at the recent Winter Olympics. When Jack Hughes, the Devils' star forward, was recognized, he received a standing ovation from the crowd at PPG Paints Arena, the same recognition he had received the previous night in Newark. The Penguins also acknowledged the four members of the U.S. women's hockey team who had won gold and were part of the Penguins Elite program.

  • On Sunday, Hughes scored the overtime goal that won gold for the United States men's hockey team.
  • On Thursday, Hughes was honored at the Penguins-Devils game in Pittsburgh.

The players

Jack Hughes

The star forward for the New Jersey Devils who won gold for the United States men's hockey team at the Olympics.

Tage Thompson

Another American player who was honored alongside Jack Hughes for their Olympic achievements.

Ryan Mill

The public address announcer at PPG Paints Arena who recognized the Olympic representatives from the Penguins and Devils organizations.

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What they’re saying

“There is no greater honor than to represent your country in the spirit of international competition.”

— Ryan Mill, Public Address Announcer (PPG Paints Arena)

“Congratulations to all of our Winter Olympics representatives.”

— Ryan Mill, Public Address Announcer (PPG Paints Arena)

What’s next

The Penguins and Devils will face off in their regular season game following the Olympic break, with Hughes and the Devils looking to build on the momentum of his Olympic gold medal performance.

The takeaway

Jack Hughes' Olympic heroics have made him a national star, and the standing ovation he received at the NHL game in Pittsburgh shows the level of adulation and appreciation for his achievement in representing the United States and bringing home the gold medal.