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The star of the American team, Jack Hughes, has finally found a smile again.
The New Jersey Devils center debuted his new smile at the New York Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday, where he and fellow Team USA gold medalist Aerin Frankel threw out the ceremonial first pitches.
New Jersey Devil Jack Hughes jokes with Olympic hockey player Aerin Frankel before throwing out the first pitch during the home opener between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
“I threw about 50 pitches right before morning practice,” Hughes told reporters of his preparation time. “My shoulder was so painful. So I said to myself, ‘We need to calm her down.'”
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Hughes, who lost several teeth after putting a stick in his mouth during Team USA’s overtime victory over Canada in Milano Cortina, was grinning from ear to ear. He said he had hoped throwing out the first pitch might be an honor he could participate in after scoring the game-winner in Italy.
Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrates after a gold medal win against Canada at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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“When it all fell apart, that was the only thing I wondered if it would happen,” Hughes said, via NHL.com. “I knew a lot was going to happen, but I was like, ‘This is the one thing I’ve always wanted to wish for, to slash, to hope for, and then I was like, ‘Opening day. Like, wow. It’s almost too much, man. It’s a lot of pressure.’
Frankel, the women’s goalie from New York, was happy to continue the Olympic celebrations with Hughes in the Bronx.
New Jersey Devils hockey player and Olympian Jack Hughes prepares to throw out the opening pitch before the Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
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“It’s been great,” she said. “It’s so fun to be at the Olympics with the men’s team, to be able to support them, to see them win a gold medal. It’s the first time in history that the women’s and men’s teams have done this together. So to be able to continue the celebration here in New York for opening day, it was so much fun.”
