(Photo Credit: @jackeichel on Instagram)

As life returns to normal for the NHL players who made history in Milan, winning gold with Team USA, the memories of their time at the Olympics are starting to be shared more and more.

The most recent is an absolute gem of a recollection from game-winning goal scorer Jack Hughes and the player who had an unfortunate hand in ending his season a year ago.

On March 3rd of last year, the Golden Knights and New Jersey Devils matched up at T-Mobile Arena. VGK led the game 2-0 with just a few minutes left when the Devils popped a shorthanded two-on-one. Hughes crashed the back post as Nico Hischier took a shot that was stopped by Adin Hill. As Hughes attempted to come to a stop, he and Jack Eichel came together.

It was just unfortunate that he was backchecking, and me and him got tangled up. –Jack Hughes on The Wingmen Podcast

(Photo Credit: MSGSN)

Hughes went crashing into the boards behind the net and laid motionless on the ice for a moment. Eichel instantly leaned over to check on Hughes, but it was clear the injury was serious. Hughes skated to the bench with his arm hanging by his side while Eichel looked visibly shaken at what had just occurred to his 4 Nations teammate.

I had a brutal night. They had to put me under to put my shoulder back in, and he picked me up at the hospital in Vegas at like 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. I was so drained because I knew my season was over. He was so emotional, and he was so crushed for me and felt so bad for me. –Hughes on The Wingmen Podcast

A year later, the two shared a special moment hours after achieving their childhood dream.

After we won the gold medal and we were at the Winter House, honestly, one of my favorite moments of the whole tournament. We were just hugging each other. Honestly, we were both crying in each other’s arms, and he was saying how much I meant to him and how sorry he was for everything and how he loves me. And I was just like, man, you’re a tremendous person. I just want to thank you for having my back, and I love you, man. –Hughes on The Wingmen Podcast

Hughes continued…

I’m just I’m so happy we could share this now cuz it’s pretty much around a year to the day and it’s like a traumatic thing that me and him were a part of together and then almost a year later we get to share this moment and we’re we’re hugging each other at the Winter House surrounded by all of our family and friends and I was just like what a special person. Jack Eichel for me, man, just an extremely special person. –Hughes on The Wingmen Podcast

From teammates to tragedy back to triumph, Hughes says he and Eichel will be friends, brothers, and champions for life.

**You can watch the entire interview here. The story about Eichel begins at around 38:00. It well worth the watch.**