Wild's Quinn Hughes Making SNL, Jimmy Fallon Appearances After Olympic Gold

The 26-year-old defenseman is riding high after leading Team USA to Olympic glory.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Minnesota Wild star Quinn Hughes is enjoying the spoils of his Olympic gold medal success, with appearances scheduled on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" this weekend. Hughes was the standout player for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, recording eight points in six games and scoring the overtime winner against Sweden in the quarterfinals. After a whirlwind few days that included a trip to Miami, a visit to the White House, and a Wild victory over the Colorado Avalanche, Hughes will now take his talents to the bright lights of New York City.

Why it matters

Hughes' Olympic heroics have catapulted him to new levels of fame and recognition, showcasing his skills on the global stage. His upcoming TV appearances will further boost his profile and cement his status as one of the NHL's biggest stars, while also providing a boost to the Minnesota Wild as they push for a Stanley Cup run.

The details

After winning gold with Team USA, Hughes has had a jam-packed schedule. On Monday, he celebrated with his teammates in Miami, then flew to Washington, D.C. to visit the White House on Tuesday. He then rejoined the Wild, helping them defeat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Thursday night. Now, Hughes will head to New York City, where he is slated to appear on "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday.

  • On Sunday, Hughes won the gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
  • On Monday, Hughes chartered with his USA teammates from Milan to Miami for a celebratory party.
  • On Tuesday, Hughes flew from Miami to Washington, D.C. to visit the White House.
  • On Thursday, Hughes played in the Wild's 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
  • On Saturday, Hughes will appear on "Saturday Night Live" in New York City.

The players

Quinn Hughes

A 26-year-old defenseman for the Minnesota Wild who led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who invited the U.S. Olympic team, including Hughes, to the White House.

Craig Leipold

The owner of the Minnesota Wild, who provided his private jet for Hughes to travel from Washington, D.C. to Minneapolis.

Jack Hughes

Quinn Hughes' brother, who also won gold with the U.S. men's hockey team and will join him on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Hilary Knight

A women's hockey gold medalist who will also appear on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" with the Hughes brothers.

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What they’re saying

“He won the gold medal Sunday. On Monday, he chartered with his United States teammates from Milan to Miami for a party at the ultraclub E11EVEN. On Tuesday, he flew from Miami to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House and be honored during the State of the Union with his USA teammates.”

— Michael Russo and Joe Smith, Hockey Insiders (The Athletic)

“On Wednesday, he boarded Wild owner Craig Leipold's private jet in Washington and flew to Minneapolis, where he met up with his Wild teammates and flew to Denver via charter to play the Avalanche on Thursday night. After the game — a 5-2 win — he was to fly to Salt Lake City to play the Utah Mammoth on Friday night. After that game, he'll return to Minnesota and land Saturday morning. On Saturday, he'll fly to New York for SNL. On Sunday, he'll return to Minnesota to play the Blues. On Monday, he'll fly back to New York to do Fallon. On Tuesday, he'll fly back to Minnesota to play the Lightning.”

— Michael Russo and Joe Smith, Hockey Insiders (The Athletic)

What’s next

After his appearances on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon", Quinn Hughes will return to Minnesota to play the St. Louis Blues on Sunday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Quinn Hughes' whirlwind schedule following his Olympic gold medal triumph showcases the immense fame and recognition he has earned. His upcoming TV appearances on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" will further boost his profile and cement his status as one of the NHL's biggest stars, providing a significant boost to the Minnesota Wild as they push for a Stanley Cup championship.