Hughes says he’s ‘so proud to be American’ after ‘golden goal’ catapults US hockey team to Olympic glory

After scoring the overtime winner, or “golden goal,” that ended a 46-year Olympic gold drought for the U.S. in men’s hockey, Jack Hughes made clear what the moment meant to him.

“I’m so proud to be American today,” Hughes said Feb. 22 after the 2-1 victory over Canada at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.

The 24-year-old, who is also a forward for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) New Jersey Devils, sealed the gold medal game 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime by snapping a wrist shot past the Canadian goaltender after U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski forced a turnover in Canada’s offensive zone.

As teammates in red, white, and blue poured off the bench, Hughes pounded his chest and pointed toward the crowd.

“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates,” Hughes said in the postgame interview with NBC. “It’s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong.”

He shook his head and repeated the sentiment. “I’m so proud to be American today. I’m so proud.”

Hughes shared the ice with his brother, fellow Olympian Quinn Hughes. Video clips circulating online show a young Jack Hughes saying it was his dream to one day play alongside his brother on the Olympic stage — a goal the two realized in Milan.

The victory marked the nation’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” team won at Lake Placid in 1980. The Feb. 22 matchup was another tense chapter in the USA-Canada hockey rivalry, tied 1-1 after regulation before Hughes delivered the decisive strike.

“Unreal game by our team,” Hughes said, describing it as a “gutsy win.” “That’s American hockey right there. That’s a great Canadian team. But we’re USA. We’re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country.”

Hughes, missing multiple front teeth after taking a high stick earlier in the tournament, grinned through the gap as he addressed reporters.

“I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world,” he said, adding with a smile that the U.S. has “great dentists there, too.”

He also reflected on the support from former U.S. players and Olympians who reached out during the tournament.

“So many ex-players, ex-Olympians, all the guys we looked up to reached out to us,” Hughes said. “Stuff that puts tears in your eyes because it means so much to them, and it means so much to us and the next batch of kids in the next 20 years. That’s why we do this. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. We’re proud we could do it for them. We’re proud we could do it for everyone back home.”

Later, Hughes shared on social media: “I love my country,” followed by two American flag emojis, and was recorded celebrating with his team in the locker room to Toby Keith’s 2002 record “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”