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Jack Hughes has worn an American jersey before – but next month will be on a whole new level.
The New Jersey Devils superstar was a part of the 2017 USA National Development Program team until becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. During that time, he competed in numerous global tournaments, including the 2019 World Juniors, and last year he competed in the 4 Nations tournament.
Last year, Hughes said, was “pretty crazy preparation”, but the number of nations competing for Olympic gold next year will reach 12, making it a truly international competition.
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Jack Hughes of Team USA warms up before the 4 Nations Championship match between Team Canada and Team USA at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
“I haven’t really played on the international stage since 2019 at the World Juniors. So to be able to play in the Olympics, I mean, it’s the biggest stage as well, so I’m just really excited and looking forward to it,” Hughes told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview.
The United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden participated in the tournament last year, which was the first time international hockey featured a competition between the best since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
For Hughes, it was a whole different brand of the sport.
“How competitive and fun the games were. I mean you have the best players in the world, in one game there’s only one puck. It’s just crazy,” Hughes said.
“It’s crazy how fast these games were and how skillful they were and how the smallest plays can make a huge difference, or a little mistake can open the way for the other team. So yeah, it’ll be interesting. Like, we might not even play Canada when we’re there, but, you know, those games against Canada in the 4 Nations were so much fun to be a part of, and I’m sure the Olympics will be just as good.”
And, at the risk of being cheesy, Hughes could just watch “Miracle” in Milan to get the patriotic juices flowing.
Jack Hughes of the United States stands on the blue line as the American flag is raised following a 3-1 quarterfinal victory over the Czech Republic at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Center on January 2, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Kevin Light/Getty Images)
“Miracle on ice” legend Jim Craig hints at what NHL stars need to remember as Olympic hockey brings back the pros.
“I would say every player grew up watching Miracle on Ice. It’s like when people ask me what my Olympic memories are, the first thing I say is growing up and watching ‘Miracle,’ it’s a legendary movie. When you think of the Olympics, you think of that, and that’s when you want to be a part of it.”
The Olympics, however, present a challenge. Hughes and his Devils are in the midst of a playoff push, while Team USA drops the puck in about three weeks. It’s already a season full of late nights and long travels, and the Olympics, for the first time in 12 years, are forcing that on NHL players. But with Mucinex Kickstart, Hughes has been able to stay in top shape for the Devils and hopes to do so for the United States.
“When I was exhausted (earlier in the season), I took some Mucinex Kickstart in me to try to feel better and get ready to feel well enough to play. Honestly, you travel so much, you’re on the road, late at night and everything, so just try to rest and feel good. And when you don’t feel good, you just take supplements and try to feel better,” Hughes said.
It’s also sure to be a whirlwind of emotion and pressure between now and April (hopefully June, for Hughes’ sake).
“You don’t want to neglect the season at all, because you still have three weeks to a month before we can get to the Olympics. It’s kind of like you have something coming up at the Olympics, it’s such an exciting time and you’re so excited to be a part of it. But you can’t look beyond your NHL schedule, because that’s the most important thing,” Hughes said. “And, you know, with New Jersey, we’re trying to get some wins and win some hockey games, start playing a little better.
Jack Hughes of Team USA skates on a forecheck during the second period of the 4 Nations showdown between Team Sweden and Team USA at TD Garden on February 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
“So the next two weeks are very important for the rest of our year. We really have to dig in for the next three weeks before we get into the Olympics, but I think it’s all really exciting. You’re playing in the NHL and then on top of that you have a break and then we can go play in the Olympics and then we come back and we have a crazy playoff push. So it should be a lot of fun the next few months.”
