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Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Hobby’s Deli in Newark created a signature “Jack’s Golden Goal Sandwich” which honors Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal to give the United States men’s hockey team the gold medal at the Olympics.
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Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Hobby’s Deli in Newark created a signature “Jack’s Golden Goal Sandwich” which honors Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal to give the United States men’s hockey team the gold medal at the Olympics.
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Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Hobby’s Deli in Newark created a signature “Jack’s Golden Goal Sandwich” which honors Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal to give the United States men’s hockey team the gold medal at the Olympics.
3 / 6
Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Hobby’s Deli in Newark created a signature “Jack’s Golden Goal Sandwich” which honors Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal to give the United States men’s hockey team the gold medal at the Olympics.
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Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win.
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Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates after winning the men’s ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
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Devils’ Jack Hughes gets his own sandwich
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team that won the gold medal, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes, pose with their medals during U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE
The Devils have built a team reputation of toughness and grit in their four decades of existence. Now, the franchise will have a few face of toughness with a new franchise record for consecutive games played.
When he takes the ice in Madison Square Garden, Dawson Mercer becomes the Devils’ ironman with his 402nd consecutive game played for the team on March 31.
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The 24-year old Mercer was drafted 18th overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL Draft and made his debut for the club at the start of the 2021-22 season. Mercer has never missed a game for the Devils since making his debut and already holds the NHL record for consecutive games played to start a career.
Apr 25, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Dawson Mercer (91) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Mercer is currently tied with Detroit’s Moritz Seiter for the fifth-longest active streak in the NHL with both players set to play in their 402nd straight game on March 31. The fourth name on that list, Columbus center Charlie Coyle, will play in his 404th straight game on the same night.
Mercer overtakes a team record held by Travis Zajac, which was last set 15 years ago. Zajac suited up for 401 consecutive games for the Devils from October 2006 until Zajac tore his Achilles during the 2011 offseason. Zajac had taken the record from legendary Devils defenseman Ken Danyeko, whose record 388 straight games stood as the Devils’ record for nearly 15 years as well.
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With the franchise record now cleared, Mercer is less than 100 games away from joining the exclusive club of NHL players with 500 consecutive games played. In 108 years of the NHL, only 30 players have ever played in 500 or more straight games. Phil Kessel became the only player in league history to reach 1,000 straight games played in Nov. 2022. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns is set to become the second player to hit that milestone on April 4.
Mercer had a few close calls for breaking the streak over the years. In Dec. 2024, Mercer took a puck to the face in a game against the Kings and needed 16 stitches to both the inside and outside of his mouth. Mercer played the following game.
It was also a possibility that Mercer would reach this milestone but not remain with the Devils. As the Devils were seeking to acquire Timo Meier in 2023, sources indicated that Mercer was seen as a centerpiece of a package requested by San Jose to get the deal done. On Feb. 26, 2023, Meier was dealt to New Jersey in a deal featuring nine players, but Mercer was not one of them. During the rumors of him involved in a potential trade, Mercer enjoyed a career-best 12-game points streak.
Mercer will now hold the franchise record all by himself and it will end in one of two ways. Either Mercer will miss a game eventually or Mercer will no longer be on the Devils’ roster. Mercer signed a three-year contract in 2024 that is set to expire after the 2026-27 season. Mercer could be traded away as the Devils are looking to shake up the roster and many other pieces to the core are locked into long-term contracts.
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These scenarios all point to the possibility that Mercer reaching 500 straight games with New Jersey is in doubt.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Dawson Mercer to set NJ Devils ironman record for games played