NEWARK, N.J. — Jack Hughes stood near center ice at the Prudential Center, microphone in hand, as cheers rained down on him. Moments earlier, a replay of his overtime goal in Sunday’s Olympic final against Canada played on the video board, marking the first Olympic men’s hockey gold for the United States since 1980. Hughes, still missing teeth from a high stick injury during the game, expressed his pride in representing the Devils and New Jersey.

Impact on Team USA and the NHL

“You guys are making me emotional,” Hughes said. “I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization and the great state of New Jersey.”

Hughes’ goal was the defining moment of the Olympics for Team USA, a feat that earned him newfound fame and attention beyond the ice. After the game, the Devils held a packed press conference for Hughes, with more than 20 reporters and team employees in attendance. Goalie Jake Allen noted that Hughes’ life had “changed forever” after the victory.

“I get goosebumps watching the video now (of the goal) just because the emotion is so raw,” Hughes said. “It means so much to every single one of those guys. We’re all genuinely so happy for each other that we won.”

Hughes said he didn’t see the puck go into the net, but when he turned back, he saw teammate Dylan Larkin sprinting on the ice. “I just couldn’t believe it,” Hughes said. “I was so proud of our group.”

Political Recognition and Backlash

The aftermath of the Olympic win brought events unrelated to the game itself. Team USA general manager Bill Guerin invited FBI director Kash Patel to celebrate with the players in the dressing room, and U.S. President Donald Trump called the team to congratulate them. Trump invited the men’s players to the State of the Union address and quipped that he would have to invite the women’s team too, or he “probably would be impeached,” which drew laughs from some players.

Multiple members of the women’s team expressed displeasure with Trump’s joke but also spoke highly of their relationships with the U.S. men’s players. Hughes’ mother, Ellen, is a player development consultant for the women’s team.

“You’re in the moment,” Jack Hughes said when asked about the joke. “We’re blaring the music. They pause the music, and then the president calls. It is what it is now, but we have so much respect for the women’s team. They have so much respect for us. We’re all just proud Americans and we’re happy that we both swept the Olympics.”

Most of the men’s team, including Hughes, flew to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, met Trump at the White House and were recognized at the State of the Union. Hughes traveled back to New Jersey after the speech.

Reflections on Political Tensions

After landing in Miami with his Olympic teammates to continue the celebration, Hughes rued that “everything is so political.” When asked how he squared that sentiment with going to the White House and a political speech, he said, “You’ve got to remember, we’re just hockey players.”

“We did our job,” he said. “We went over to the Olympics to win a gold medal and that’s what we did. I’ve had the best time of my life celebrating with my teammates that we accomplished our goal.”

Hughes said he hasn’t really been surprised by any backlash he and his teammates have faced in the aftermath.

“Obviously there’s so many different people in the country with so many different views,” he said. “So no matter what’s going on, someone’s going to like it, someone’s not going to like it. For us, it was just about the celebration, celebrating USA Hockey, celebrating our teammates, our group of guys. We just had so much fun being together and enjoying the moment together.”

Hughes’ address to the crowd was part of a pregame ceremony put on by the Devils. He pumped his fist, then called American teammate and Sabres forward Tage Thompson onto the ice for an ovation of his own. He said he thought about including Thompson while lying in bed before his pregame nap.

“It’ll never be about one person. It’s always about the team, that group of guys,” he said. “I hope that when (Thompson) has his first game in Buffalo, they do something for him, and I hope he’s playing one of his American teammates and (he) can do the same thing. It’s all about the USA Hockey brotherhood and the team. And that’s what we are: We’re just such a team.”

The Sabres will host the Vegas Golden Knights, whose roster features Team USA players Noah Hanifin and Jack Eichel, a former Sabres captain, when they return home Tuesday.

After Hughes’ speech, he and Thompson met on the ice for a ceremonial puck drop. Devils owner David Blitzer dropped the puck, and New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill (D) — met with boos from the crowd — presented Hughes with a state flag.

Multiple fans brought Hughes Team USA jerseys to the game, with a pair wearing fake gold medals around their necks. Michelob Ultra ran a promotion at the game for $8.60 beers in honor of Hughes’ jersey number (86).

After the game, Hughes raved about his experience living in New Jersey and playing in front of Devils’ fans.

“Early on, for some reason, when I got drafted here — obviously I’m their first overall pick and I’m an American kid — but I just feel like they accepted me so deeply, and I just feel like I’m their guy,” he said. “Every time I drive in, all I think about is — when I see people walking at 4:30 with Hughes jerseys on — unrolling my window and screaming at them, ‘Love that.’ Just to represent New Jersey, to represent our fans, I’m so proud to be a Devil.”

Hughes’ goal gave the Americans their first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980, the year of the “Miracle on Ice” game against the heavily favored Soviets.

“The fact that I’m on a USA Hockey championship, Olympic gold medal team, it changes all of our lives,” Hughes said. “We’re champions and we’re Olympic gold medalists. We’re the team that broke the run of not being able to win. To break that streak and win a gold medal, it bonds us forever.”