USA’s Olympic hero Jack Hughes stands firmly behind NHL Pride Nights

Jack Hughes became a national hero on Sunday when he scored a goal for the Team USA men’s ice hockey team that brought home the team’s first Winter Olympics gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle On Ice” team.

It took just 1 minute 41 seconds of overtime for Hughes to score the goal that broke the 1-1 tie from regulation.

The United States hadn’t won any medal in men’s ice hockey at the Winter Olympics since 2010, when they lost to Canada in the gold medal match — making this win all the more special.

Also special for LGBTQ fans has been to see video of Jack Hughes talking publicly about his support for LGBTQ Pride Nights in the NHL.

In 2023, Hughes joined The Rush on Yahoo Sports and was asked about some NHL teams and players ditching LGBTQ Pride Night.

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Hughes was unequivocal about his support for Pride Night with the New Jersey Devils.

“The team I play for, the Devils, we really support that,” Hughes said. “We’re really a welcoming organization. A bunch of the guys on our team, we’re looking froward to that.

“Obviously how we grew up, my family really supports that too. I can’t speak for other teams, but I know in New Jersey that was a night I think everyone on our team was really welcoming, and we know it’s really important.

“There was never a thought to not do it.

Great words of Pride Night support from a multiyear NHL veteran, even as some people in the NHL create more problems for the LGBTQ community.

And also as Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas yelled a gay slur during one of his Czech Republic team’s hockey matches at the Winter Olympics in Milan.

Who is Jack Hughes?

Jack Hughes has been playing in the NHL since he was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft.

He’s played in the NHL All-Star Game three times, from 2022 to 2024.

He’s helped Team USA to success on the international stage the last couple of years, as the Americans won silver at the 2025 World Championships and now gold at the Milan Winter Olympics.

He’s scored 141 goals in the NHL, as well as 210 assists, in six seasons with the Devils.

Hughes was born in Orlando, Fla., before playing high school hockey in Michigan.

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