Before Jack Hughes hit the ice at the Prudential Center, fans were already buzzing with excitement, proudly displaying American flags and sporting USA hockey jerseys. It was a night of celebration for the New Jersey Devils, as they welcomed back their Olympic heroes who had shone at the Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026.
The pre-game ceremony was a heartfelt tribute to the seven Devils players who represented their countries, alongside General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and Equipment Manager Chris "Frosty" Scoppetto. As the ceremony began, Scoppetto sported a t-shirt featuring the iconic image of Hughes from the gold medal game, capturing a moment that will be etched in history.
Hughes, the 24-year-old star, took center stage with a heartfelt speech. Before he spoke, he invited Buffalo forward and USA teammate Tage Thompson to join him, sharing the spotlight with chants of “USA!
USA!” echoing through the arena.
“I am so proud and so happy that the men’s and women’s USA hockey teams brought gold medals back to the United States of America,” Hughes told the packed house. “You guys are making me emotional, but I am so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization, and I am so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey.
From the bottom of my heart, all my USA teammates, we just want to thank you guys for all the love and support. We feel it.
Thank you.”
After the game, Hughes faced the media, reflecting on his Olympic journey. “It has been obviously the best three days of my life, probably,” he shared.
“Had so much fun with this group of guys, and I am sure everyone on this team probably wishes it was still going. But nice to get back into a routine and get back with my teammates (in New Jersey).”
Hughes emphasized the team effort behind their success. “It will never be about one person, and it is always about the team and that group of guys,” he said.
“To share that moment with (Thompson), I hope that when he has his first game in Buffalo, they do something for him. It is all about the USA Hockey brotherhood and a team, and that is what we are.”
His love for New Jersey was evident. “Just to represent New Jersey, to represent our fans, I am so proud to be a Devil,” Hughes stated.
“I really do love living in New Jersey, playing in New Jersey. I feel like I'm their guy.
I come to these games, and I am driving in. Every time I drive in, all I think about is when I see people walking at 4:30 p.m. with Hughes jerseys on, unrolling my window and screaming at them, and they love that.”
For many, Hughes' Olympic triumph overshadowed the Devils' 2-1 loss to the Sabres. The arena was alive with chants of “USA!
USA!” and American flags waving proudly.
Hughes' golden goal on February 22 is now a legendary moment. His teammate Jake Allen remarked, “We were saying the other day how obviously he was a superstar player, an athlete, a really good person, and the face of this organization, but now it has gone tenfold. Obviously, for him, changed his life.”
Hughes summed up his feelings, “Representing your country is the best, and this is something that you dream of, but when it happens, you can't even describe what it feels like. For me, it will never be about the Golden Goal.
It will always be about our three weeks at the Olympics and that we are champions. I am just so proud to be American and so happy that we could get the job done.”