‘Every time I come back to Pittsburgh, I’ll really appreciate what they did for me’

The last guy with a similar smile to get an ovation that big in Pittsburgh might have been Jack Lambert after Super Bowl XIV.

Some of Jack Hughes’ teeth are still chipped from a stick to the mouth he endured during Team USA’s gold medal win over Canada last weekend. Even though his New Jersey Devils lost 4-1 to the Penguins on Thursday night, the 24-year-old couldn’t repress a jagged grin when discussing the warm ovation he received from the PPG Paints Arena fans during a pregame ceremony to honor America’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.

Jack Hughes and Team USA Men’s team members honored at PPG Paints Arena pic.twitter.com/1cvJzv7tVB

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) February 27, 2026

“Pittsburgh is an unbelievable sports town,” Hughes said.

“That was something I’ll always remember, and every time I come back to Pittsburgh, I’ll really appreciate what they did for me tonight.”

It was Hughes who scored the overtime goal to win gold for the U.S. squad 2-1 over Canada in Milan on Sunday.

JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA’S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was injured in the quarterfinals and was unable to participate in the final game for the Canadian team. But the silver medal-winning effort of Team Canada was also recognized before puck drop.

Sidney Crosby and Team Canada Silver medal winners honored pic.twitter.com/8D81fdtbel

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) February 27, 2026

The irony of being honored on Pittsburgh ice, while wearing a New Jersey Devils uniform for beating Crosby’s Canadian team in international competition, was not lost on Hughes.

“Going into the game, I knew they’d do something. But Crosby is the biggest athlete here,” Hughes said. “So I’m sure (the Pittsburgh fans) are cheering for Canada as well. But, obviously, a lot of proud Americans in the crowd tonight.”

Hughes also expressed his appreciation for the Pens Elite women’s program that produced four Olympians who won gold for America in hockey over Canada as well. Ava McNaughton (Wexford), Hannah Bilka, Gwyneth Philips (Shady Side Academy) and Laila Edwards got a hearty ovation during the ceremony too.

Women’s Gold medal winning Team USA members from Pens Elite honored at PPG Paints Arena pic.twitter.com/RQe81AYIkl

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) February 27, 2026

“I didn’t know they had four of the women’s players that came through here,” Hughes said. “That’s pretty cool to have four players on one Olympic team.”

From Pittsburgh, you can bet Hughes is going to get similar treatment in St. Louis on Saturday. Then the Devils have a home game versus Florida in New Jersey on Tuesday where Hughes has already received a conquering welcome home. He knows the hoopla is going to die down eventually.

You can bet that’ll be in Toronto on Wednesday. That doesn’t mean he’s not going to soak it up while it lasts.

“It’s not going to last forever, but it’s just really cool,” Hughes continued. “I enjoy playing on the road, you have all these different arenas, different fans, and I’m sure they’re all so proud that we won.”

Hughes was coached by former Penguins Stanley Cup-winning head coach Mike Sullivan in Italy. And for however long the hype extends, Hughes’ current NHL coach, Sheldon Keefe, says he’s the right kind of personality to absorb it.

“Jack has handled it incredibly well,” Keefe said. “He’s ready for this. Things don’t come your way that you aren’t able to handle. It comes to him for a reason. He’s earned it. But he just kind of goes with it.”

Hughes registered his 38th point of the season during the game with an assist on New Jersey’s lone goal Friday night. But he might remember Pittsburgh for something else prior to the game, hours before the ceremony.

“Pretty much the first place I’ve been outside (since Sunday) was in Pittsburgh. It’s been so busy,” Hughes said. “Just the people on the streets? So happy, so proud. Just saying thank you for winning gold. And they mean it.”