Fans in Pittsburgh gave Jack Hughes a standing ovation before Thursday’s Penguins-Devils game at PPG Paints Arena.<\/p>\n
The Olympic hero helped bring home the men’s hockey gold medal to the United States on Sunday, scoring the game-winner in the team’s game against Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games. It was the first time the U.S. men’s hockey team won Olympic gold in 46 years.<\/p>\n
International stars \u2b50\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Tonight, we honored the men and women who medaled at #MilanoCortina2026<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/LMM8J21Brh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Penguins honored all players and team personnel who participated in the men’s hockey Olympic tournament, saving Hughes moment for last, leaving a chance for the crowd to give him a loud ovation. \u00a0<\/p>\n The women’s hockey team was also honored before Thursday’s game.\u00a0Team USA defeated Canada<\/a> behind\u00a0Megan Keller<\/a>, who scored the game-winner in overtime on Feb. 18.<\/p>\n It was the second night in a row that Hughes, a star center for the Devils, received a hero’s welcome. On Wednesday, fans roared with pride<\/a>\u00a0for Hughes before the Devils-Sabres game, as NHL play resumed following a three-week break. The 24-year-old star also addressed the crowd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0“I’m so proud and so happy that the men’s & women’s USA hockey teams brought gold medals back to the United States of America,” Hughes said on Wednesday. \u00a0<\/p>\n