Jack Hughes, the 24-year-old NHL player for the New Jersey Devils, played a crucial role in Team USA’s historic gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics, scoring the game-winning goal against Canada. This marked the first Olympic hockey gold for the United States since 1980. Following the victory, Hughes has made his relationship with Canadian pop star Tate McRae public, confirming they are now exclusively dating.
Details of Hughes and McRae’s Relationship
According to reports, Hughes and McRae began casually seeing each other late last year before making their romance official. The connection reportedly started when Hughes reached out to McRae via Instagram direct message. McRae has shown strong support for Hughes by attending his games and cheering him on. Their relationship has drawn attention due to their different nationalities and Hughes’ recent Olympic success in Milan.
Hughes Responds to Criticism over Team USA’s Celebration
After Team USA’s gold medal win, Hughes addressed some negative reactions toward the team’s celebrations, emphasizing pride in representing the United States. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said,
“Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the U.S. and we get the chance to go to the White House, meet the president. You know, we’re proud to be Americans,”
and added,
“No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go.”
Hughes also spoke about the criticism aimed at the team on social media:
“Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today,”
he remarked.
“People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.”
Significance of Hughes’ Gold Medal and Public Relationship
Jack Hughes’ performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics has solidified his status as a leading figure in American hockey, delivering a game-winning goal that ended a 46-year gold medal drought for Team USA. His openness about dating Tate McRae adds a personal dimension to his public profile, merging the worlds of sports and pop culture. The couple’s high-profile relationship may continue to attract media attention as Hughes advances his professional career with the New Jersey Devils and enjoys the spotlight following his Olympic triumph.
