Olympic Hero Jack Hughes Back on Ice with Devils After Media Blitz

Following his golden goal for Team USA and appearances on major TV shows, Jack Hughes has returned to the New Jersey Devils for the NHL season's final stretch. The 24-year-old star wrapped up his media tour after stops including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

NEWARK, N.J. — After being captivated by Lorne Michaels’ behind-the-scenes tales from “Saturday Night Live” and appearing alongside brother Quinn and women’s team captain Hilary Knight on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Jack Hughes is shifting his focus back to professional hockey.

The Olympic golden goal hero took to the ice Tuesday morning following his Fallon appearance, marking what’s expected to be the final chapter of his celebrity media circuit since capturing America’s attention in Milan. The New Jersey Devils star now turns his attention to the remaining NHL season.

“The best couple weeks of my life and just a lot of fun celebrating with the guys and enjoying it,” Hughes said. “Now, after all this, it’s in the rearview mirror for a little bit. We’ll pull it out back in the summer. But yeah, it’s back to Devils and locking back in here and trying to win some games.”

Just over a week after netting one of the most significant goals in American hockey history, Hughes faces his next challenge: competing against Olympic teammate Matthew Tkachuk and the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Hughes admitted the quick transition from teammate to opponent feels strange, particularly given the longstanding friendship between the Hughes brothers and the Tkachuk siblings, dating back to their youth hockey days.

That connection has only grown stronger following their achievement of capturing the nation’s third men’s hockey gold medal and first since 1980.

“Now we have that special bond of just accomplishing something so special that we’re linked together forever,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “We’re brothers forever, champions forever.”

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, who has experience with champions after capturing consecutive Stanley Cups, remains uncertain how this newfound fame will impact Hughes. However, he couldn’t help but notice the 24-year-old’s image displayed on billboards throughout the journey from the team’s Manhattan hotel to the New Jersey arena.

Maurice drew comparisons between Hughes’ moment and Sidney Crosby’s golden goal for Canada against the United States in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Unlike Crosby, who had already claimed a Stanley Cup, Hughes must wait at least another season to pursue hockey’s most prestigious prize given the Devils’ current standings.

“If he becomes part of Stanley Cup champions, it will be as it was with Mr. Crosby: It’ll be a wonderful thing to add,” Maurice said. “Wonderful for our game. We should all celebrate that. How it impacts him, I think he’s got lots of years to write a longer story.”

Those close to Hughes remain confident the spotlight won’t negatively affect his performance.

“Obviously he’s really been around the map lately,” younger brother and Devils teammate Luke said. “I don’t think one goal changes you. … I think he was just really happy to be a part of it.”