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We’re all hockey fans now.
Jack Hughes, with his toothless grin and an American flag draped over his shoulders after scoring the golden goal for Team USA, gave us the unifying cultural moment we didn’t know we needed.
When the men’s Olympic hockey team filed into the gallery at President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, members on both sides of the aisle stood up — one of the few occasions throughout the entire speech. The room erupted into cheers and chants of “USA! USA!” as Trump announced he would award goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
If you have been living under a rock for the past week or grew up in the Southwest with only sisters, let me catch you up. The U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team took gold in an overtime game against Canada Feb. 19. The men of Team U.S.A. then battled Canada into overtime Sunday on the way to their first gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviets in 1980. Goalie Hellebuyck kept the U.S. in the fight, making 41 saves and preventing Canada from converting a 5-on-3 power play in the second period.
In the third period, center Jack Hughes lost a couple of front teeth to a high-sticking penalty by Canada’s Sam Bennett. But that didn’t stop the 24-year-old New Jersey Devils player. He wiped the blood off his mouth and came back to score the game-winner in sudden-death overtime. The team swarmed the ice, sticks and gloves flew, and the loudspeakers blared Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.”
It was the perfect game, if only for the drama. Even better was Hughes’ post-game interview.
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes told NBC. “He was our best player tonight by a mile. Unbelievable game. Unreal game by our team. Just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there. That’s a great Canadian team, but we’re U.S.A. We’re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country.”
People like Jack Hughes make America great. With a lisp and dried blood on his lips, he praised his teammate, acknowledged the opposing team’s strength, and declared his love for his country.
No politics. No trash talking. No public confessions. Just pure patriotism and a victory hard-won.
“Look at these guys. We’re such a team,” Hughes said. “We’ve been together for two weeks. We’re such a team. The U.S.A. brotherhood is so strong. And we’re so proud to win for our country.”
Shortly after the victory, the team posed for a photo on the ice with their medals and the toddlers of fallen would-be teammate Johnny Gaudreau, holding a USA No. 13 jersey bearing his name. The father of three and all-time international lead scorer for the NHL was killed in August 2024 by a drunk driver.
The world got to see true American greatness in action on Sunday. Not only did Team U.S.A. carry home the gold, they did so with equal parts guts and grace — fighting through pain for the victory and supporting each other like brothers.
Excellence like that deserves to be celebrated, no matter on what side of the aisle you stand.
Moira Gleason is a senior studying English.
