Many feared the United States won’t be able to break their ice hockey curse when they were facing Canada. However, Jack Hughes made sure that the Americans were going to break the long-standing gold drought at the competitive sport that’s stood since 1980.
The New Jersey Devils center was especially prolific for Team USA, bagging four goals and three assists in the competition, making 26.67% of his shots at goal. Canada’s Macklin Celebrini was the only male hockey athlete who was more prolific in front of goal than he was.
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However, it was Hughes’ overtime goal in the gold-medal match between the United States and Canada that mattered the most in the entire competition. The celebration the team had after the make showcased the value of his score.
USA men’s hockey team celebrates winning gold medal at the Winter OlympicsGeoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
The celebrations didn’t end on the ice. The celebrations went onto the night, with the 24-year-old Hughes as the center of the attention.
American Hockey Fans React to Team USA’s Epic Jack Hughes Celebration
Team USA posted a video of the team’s celebration on their Instagram page. The video had the team hoisting the Orlando, FL native into the air while walking through Milanese streets and singing songs. The golden goal scorer was smiling a toothy grin, making the tooth he lost in the competition all the more visible.
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“Celebrating the man of the hour,” the post read.
Fans were quick to the comments section to congratulate and celebrate the team’s achievement.
“He’s so freaking cute,” one fan said of Hughes and the team’s celebration of him.
Another fan was hung up on the performance Hughes and the rest of Team USA made. “What a game!” they wrote. “Congratulations USA!”
“Carrying him like he’s the pope,” a fan quipped, referencing to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, being chosen as the leader of the Catholic church last year.
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One supporter thought another player deserves credit as well. “Someone pick up Hellebuyck too,” they shared, referring to goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck and his shot-stopping heroics in the final.
A commenter was especially impressed with other contributors of the team. “We need to talk about the hustle, grit, and determination of [Zach] Werenski setting that up, too,” they commented. “Phenomenal play. Congrats boys!”
Another IG user pointed the poetry in what happened to Hughes: “He lost a tooth but won the gold!”
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Hughes is an effective center for the NJ Devils this season, scoring 12 goals and supplying 24 others in 36 games.
Related: Ice Hockey Federation Announces Connor McDavid Decision After Loss to USA
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Olympics section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.