Jack Hughes, a 23-year-old center from Orlando, Florida, is a leading figure for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL).[1][2] Selected first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes has emerged as one of the league's top American-born playmakers.

Hughes has posted 249 points (99 goals, 150 assists) in 284 regular-season games through the 2024-25 season.[1] He finished second in Calder Trophy voting as the NHL's top rookie in 2020 and represented the U.S. at the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off tournament.[2][3]

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will mark the return of NHL players to the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games.[4][5] The event runs from February 6 to 22, 2026, with the men's gold-medal game scheduled for February 22 at the Cortina Olympic Arena in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.[6]

The U.S. men's team last won Olympic gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, known as the "Miracle on Ice," defeating the Soviet Union 4-3 in the final before beating Finland for the title.[7][8] The Americans have medaled four times since, most recently silver at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Hughes and the Devils face the New York Rangers 10 times per regular season in the NHL's Metropolitan Division rivalry. The Devils host the Rangers next on April 13, 2025.[1][9]

Sources

1. NHL.com
   Jack Hughes - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jack-hughes-8480026
2. Wikipedia
   Jack Hughes (ice hockey)
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hughes_(ice_hockey)
3. NHL.com
   NHL reveals rosters for 4 Nations Face-Off
   December 12, 2024
   https://www.nhl.com/news/rosters-revealed-for-4-nations-face-off-361190666
4. NHL.com
   NHL to participate at Olympics
   February 5, 2024 (updated June 2024)
   https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-full-participation-at-2026-olympic-winter-games-357424968
5. IIHF.com
   Olympic Ice Hockey Tournaments Milan Cortina 2026
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2026/om
6. Olympics.com
   Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Schedule - Ice Hockey
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/olympic-schedule
7. Wikipedia
   Ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_1980_Winter_Olympics
8. Olympics.com
   Lake Placid 1980 Ice Hockey
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/lake-placid-1980/medals/ice-hockey
9. NHL.com
   New Jersey Devils Schedule
   Accessed February 20, 2025
   https://www.nhl.com/devils/schedule