By Ben Baruch
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils scored the game-winning overtime goal, Sunday, Feb. 22 to clinch the gold medal for the US over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina — the first time Team USA has won gold since the “miracle on ice” in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.
The win came on the 46th anniversary of that “miracle,” in which the underdog American team beat the Soviet powerhouse to advance to the gold medal game.
The Jewish Orlando, Fla., native was proud to deliver the moment for his home country.
“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable,” Hughes told NBC. “The USA Hockey brotherhood. It’s so strong. We had so much support from ex-players, and I’m so proud to be American today.”
Another brotherhood — literally — was on display in the game.
The game winner’s older brother Quinn Hughes, of the Minnesota Wild, scored the game-winner in the quarter finals to defeat Sweden.
On Sunday, Quinn Hughes had an assist in the first period on fellow Wild teammate Matt Boldy’s goal to make it 1-0 in favor of the Americans. Canadian defenseman Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche tied the game in the second period.
Although both teams had many chances, neither could break the tie by the end of the third period. Less than two minutes into overtime, Jack Hughes scored, and the Americans won 2-1.
In the six games that Quinn Hughes played, he had a goal and seven assists. Jack Hughes had four goals and three assists in the tournament.
Born in Orlando, Jack Hughes, 24, grew up in Toronto and Michigan and played for the US National Team Development Program. According to Israeli media, he had a Bar Mitzvah. His and Quinn’s brother Luke is also a professional hockey player on the Devils.
Their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, who is Jewish, is part of the University of New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame for women’s hockey, soccer and lacrosse. She won a silver medal as part of the American team in the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in 1992. Their father, Jim Hughes is a former college hockey player, a former Boston Bruins assistant and a former Toronto Maple Leafs staffer.
Jeremy Swayman, of the Boston Bruins, is the third Jewish member of the American men’s team. The backup goalie played in a game in the preliminary round, a 6-3 win over Denmark.
