NEWS

Teeth Shattered. Ice Covered in Blood. Canada Celebrating Too Soon. Then Jack Hughes came back from the tunnel and delivered the overtime dagger that crushed an entire nation. What he said in the locker room seconds later left even his teammates stunned.

trinhtrinh Avatar

Posted by

trinhtrinh

-

NEED TO KNOW

Jack Hughes said he was “proud to be American” as he talked about his Olympic gold-winning goal, and his impending dental work
Hughes sealed Team USA’s win over Canada in men’s hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games
The U.S. players said they received a call from President Donald Trump after the game to congratulate them on the win

Jack Hughes was feeling “proud” to be an American — and ready to get back to the U.S. for some dental work — after scoring the Olympic gold-winning goal.

Moments after Hughes, 24, sealed Team USA’s win over rival Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, Feb. 22 with his overtime goal, which came 20 minutes after he had several teeth knocked out mid-game, the NHL star was filled with enthusiasm for his country and his teammates.

“This is all about our country right now. I love the U.S.A. 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.”

The New Jersey Devils star also shouted out U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 out of 42 shots during the game.

“It’s an unbelievable game by Hellebuyck. He was our best player tonight by a mile, unbelievable game, unreal game by our team,” he said. “Just a ballsy, 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. This night was all for our country.”

Hughes continued with the USA love, and love for its dentists, while talking to reporters, including PEOPLE, in the mixed zone after the medal ceremony.

“I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world, and we’ve got great dentists there too,” he said, with a toothless smile. “So I’m lucky I’m American and they’re going to fix me right up.”

Team USA, who were seen partying with FBI Director Kash Patel in the locker room after the game, received a celebratory call from President Donald Trump, they told reporters.

“The players just had the president on, I don’t know what it was, what do you call it? FaceTime? Whatever. In the locker room,” Head Coach Mike Sullivan said during their post-game press conference. “So he just spoke to the group, expressing how proud he was of the group and congratulating everybody on the win. Obviously this game, in a lot of ways, was an inspiration to our country.”

Team USA captain Auston Matthews was also asked about the conversation with Trump and what it meant to them.

“We’re all proud Americans, obviously, and I mean, this is a huge moment for us. It’s a huge moment for the United States,” Matthews, 28, said. “He called and just congratulated us.”

“It’s an honor to wear this jersey and to represent the USA and go home with the gold medal,” he added. “You know how much that means to the guys in this room and how much it means to all the people watching and rooting us on, too.”

When Gus Lamont vanished from his grandmother’s home, many couldn’t shake the sense of déjà vu. The setting. The timeline. The early silence. Even the absence of immediate public images. For some observers, the similarities to the William Tyrrell case feel too close for comfort — like history echoing in ways no one wants to believe. Investigators insist each case stands on its own. But online, questions are spreading fast. Are the parallels just coincidence? Or do the similarities point to something deeper that hasn’t yet come to light?
When Gus Lamont vanished from his grandmother’s home, many couldn’t shake the sense of déjà vu. The setting. The timeline. The early silence. Even the absence of immediate public images. For some observers, the similarities to the William Tyrrell case feel too close for comfort — like history echoing in ways no one wants to believe. Investigators insist each case stands on its own. But online, questions are spreading fast. Are the parallels just coincidence? Or do the similarities point to something deeper that hasn’t yet come to light?

Two boys, one nightmare: The haunting ‘mirror’ clues between the Gus Lamont and William Tyrrell disappearances that go…

Three-year-old Harlow, riding in her pink wagon, was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. Her parents were injured trying to protect her. When chaos erupted, a 72-year-old woman ran toward the danger to help — and was critically injured in the attack. Loved ones say her bravery may have saved others. Investigators believe the violence was random. Banks now faces charges including premeditated murder and multiple counts of assault, while his attorney has requested a competency evaluation. One quiet neighborhood. Seconds of unimaginable violence. A child who should have had a lifetime ahead of her. What really happened that night — and why?
Three-year-old Harlow, riding in her pink wagon, was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. Her parents were injured trying to protect her. When chaos erupted, a 72-year-old woman ran toward the danger to help — and was critically injured in the attack. Loved ones say her bravery may have saved others. Investigators believe the violence was random. Banks now faces charges including premeditated murder and multiple counts of assault, while his attorney has requested a competency evaluation. One quiet neighborhood. Seconds of unimaginable violence. A child who should have had a lifetime ahead of her. What really happened that night — and why?

A Pink Wagon on a Quiet Street: The Day a 3-Year-Old Was Killed, a Grandmother Was Crushed Trying…