Pride Night became a controversial topic in the NHL back in 2023, but Team USA Olympic hero Jack Hughes received praise for his stance on the celebratory event
22:44 ET, 22 Feb 2026Updated 11:44 ET, 23 Feb 2026
Jack Hughes’ comments on NHL Pride Night have resurfaced after he became Team USA’s hero(Image: 2026 Eurasia Sport Images)
Team USA hero Jack Hughes openly supports Pride Night in the NHL, after a video of him addressing the subject resurfaced following his goal that clinched the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Hughes scored the gold-clinching goal against Team Canada on Sunday, as his overtime score handed Team USA a 2-1 victory. Hughes put his body on the line for his country, suffering a horrific, life-changing injury after being hit with a stick to the mouth by Canada forward Sam Bennett.
After winning gold, Hughes and the Team USA roster were joined by FBI Director Kash Patel in the locker room as celebrations got underway. Hughes is already a major star in the NHL, but after becoming a national hero, his old comments on Pride Night have gone viral. It comes after the ‘shameful’ Team USA hockey heroes were slammed for their reaction to Donald Trump’s ‘sexist’ joke.
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Pride Night has been a sensitive topic in the NHL, with several players refusing to take part in warmups when Pride jerseys are worn. Players have often cited personal or religious reasons for their omission.
In 2023, the NHL banned specialty jerseys in warmups and practices, but reversed the decision months later. The majority of NHL teams take part in Pride Night, whether it’s by wearing jerseys or using rainbow colored tape on hockey sticks.
In previous seasons, players would auction game-used equipment and donate the funds to charity. That was hindered once the league issued a ban regarding Pride Night, but the initiative has since been restored.
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Hughes was drafted first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils and spoke about Pride Night shortly after the league reversed its controversial stance. Hughes told Yahoo Sports: “The team I play for, the Devils, we really support that, and we are a really welcoming organization.
“I think a bunch of the guys on our team were looking forward to that. Obviously, with how we grew up, my family really supports that too.
“I can’t speak for other teams, but I know in New Jersey that was a night where everyone on our team was really welcoming. It wasn’t even a thought about not doing it.”
Hughes is the franchise star for the New Jersey Devils(Image: 2026 Andrew Mordzynski)
Hughes received widespread praise at the time, and after scoring the winning goal at the Winter Olympics, his status has been elevated further. Speaking after his heroic performance, Hughes said to NBC: “This is all about our country right now.
“I love the U.S.A. I love my teammates, it’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood, it’s so strong. We had so much support from ex-players, and I’m so proud to be American today.”
Despite being the game-winner, Hughes celebrated goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who saved 41 out of 42 shots during the game. “It’s an unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” he added. “He was our best player tonight by a mile, unbelievable game, unreal game by our team.
“Just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there. That’s a great Canadian team, but we’re USA, we’re so proud to be Americans. This night was all for our country.”
It comes after devastated Eileen Gu broke down in tears during her winning press conference after learning tragic news.