It was no secret who the followers at Prudential Center were ready to welcome home Wednesday night time.
The crowd was holding its breath for one specific player to present up on the ice and they didn’t maintain back once Jack Hughes appeared in his home enviornment following his historic game-winner in Milan.
Hughes was welcomed with a “USA” chant that thundered through the enviornment. Fans — some clad in USA jerseys and holding home made USA indicators and American flags — gave a standing ovation before the puck drop for the Devils’ first sport since the Olympic break.
Before restarting the NHL season against the Sabres, Prudential Center first dimmed the lights and honored their American hero.
The jumbotron replayed the thrilling gold-medal successful additional time purpose over Canada to give Team USA their first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” Hughes acquired large cheers as he did a lap around the ice, grabbing Team USA teammate and the Sabres’ Tage Thompson, and took the mic before giving a temporary speech.
“I’m so proud and I’m so happy that the men’s and women’s USA hockey teams brought the gold medals back,” Hughes said. “I’m pretty emotional, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils and I’m so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey. From the bottom of my heart, all of my teammates, my Team USA teammates, I just want to thank you guys.”
It was only becoming following the 24-year-old’s Olympic efficiency.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is on the ice during warmups. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“They are all excited to see him,” Jonas Siegenthaler, who performed for Switzerland in the Milan Cortina Games, instructed The Post on Wednesday morning. “He’s going to get a lot of credit from the fans. We’ll be there as well and it will be cool to spend it with him. We’re happy for him and excited to see him.”
After getting a number of entrance enamel knocked out when taking a excessive stick to the face during the third interval of the gold medal sport, Hughes got his revenge during the 3-on-3 additional time interval, slicing a wrist shot between Canada’s Jordan Binnington’s legs into the internet.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is greeted by followers as he walks out on the ice during warmups. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Fans cheer as Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is on the ice during warmups. Robert Sabo for NY Post
It couldn’t have been scripted any higher.
“I mean, it’s probably the coolest moment for him,” Siegenthaler said. “You don’t score that goal every day. OT, Olympic gold medal game — I think it’s really special. He showed the player he is all tournament. I think his whole performance was really good during the Olympics. I think everybody in this room is proud of him and happy for him.”
“For Jack to score that goal, I think that’s incredible,” Timo Meier, who also represented Switzerland, added. “He must have had a couple of exciting days, for sure.”
Fans cheer as Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is on the ice during warmups. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The aftermath included a flight to Miami to keep away from the snowstorm alongside the East Coast. Team USA had no drawback partying there. Later on, Hughes and several of his teammates visited Washington after President Donald Trump invited the team to the White House while on a postgame locker room cellphone call.
The team also attended Trump’s State of the Union tackle Tuesday night time where the president also offered goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Wednesday night time, the Devils positioned a take-home signed card on each seat, picturing Hughes holding the American flag that learn “Made in Jersey.” Team USA’s beer sponsor Michelob Ultra was promoting for $8.60 in the enviornment in honor of Hughes’ jersey quantity. And per the Devils’ enterprise workplace, there’s been a large bounce in ticket gross sales since Hughes’ historic second.
Jack Hughes of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic video games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images
His homecoming was only expected to proceed the celebration.
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