Devils Star Jack Hughes Still Adjusting to Fame After Olympic Gold Medal Win

New Jersey Devils player Jack Hughes continues to experience overwhelming recognition following his game-winning Olympic goal that secured America's first men's hockey gold in 46 years. The 24-year-old received standing ovations even from rival Pittsburgh fans, as he struggles to return to normal life amid White House visits and nationwide celebrations.

The life of New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes remains far from ordinary weeks after his historic overtime goal delivered the United States its first Olympic men’s hockey championship in nearly five decades at the Milan Cortina Games.

The 24-year-old athlete continues to navigate the overwhelming attention that followed his gold medal-winning shot against Canada, still sporting a gap-toothed grin from injuries sustained during the Olympic finals.

Even playing away from home in Pittsburgh Thursday evening, Hughes was met with thunderous applause from the crowd at PPG Paints Arena. The reception came during a pre-game tribute that also honored members of the U.S. women’s Olympic team and Pittsburgh’s own Sidney Crosby, who captained Team Canada.

The 18,288 fans in attendance began chanting his name before breaking into patriotic “U-S-A” cheers, creating an unexpected moment for the visiting player wearing number 86.

“I was thinking going into the game, I knew they’d do something, but obviously, you know, Crosby’s the biggest athlete here,” Hughes explained after contributing an assist in New Jersey’s 4-1 defeat. “So I’m sure they were cheering for Canada as well, but obviously a lot of proud Americans in the crowd tonight. And that was something I’ll always remember.”

The scene echoed a similar tribute Pittsburgh supporters gave Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller sixteen years earlier, after Miller’s Team USA fell to Crosby’s golden goal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Unlike Miller’s squad that earned silver, Hughes carved his name into American Olympic history by delivering the championship-clinching goal in Italy. His recent schedule has included prestigious visits to the White House and an appearance during President Trump’s State of the Union address.

Following celebrations in his home state of New Jersey on Wednesday, Hughes expressed surprise at receiving similar recognition on enemy ice, with another potential tribute awaiting when the Devils travel to St. Louis this Saturday.

“Obviously, it’s not going to last forever, but just really cool,” he remarked.

Hughes acknowledged the relentless pace has prevented him from fully absorbing the magnitude of his achievement. While transitioning back to regular NHL competition has proven difficult after what he described as “probably the best moment of my life,” returning to the rink provides welcomed normalcy.

“The best thing that’s happened to me is getting back on the ice and playing,” Hughes shared. “Just so I have like four or five hours of no distractions.”