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Jack Hughes for President
His unabashed patriotism was as inspiring as his winning overtime goal for the Olympic hockey gold medal.
By
The Editorial Board
Feb. 22, 2026 5:12 pm ET


There isn’t much that unifies all of America these days, but the Olympic overtime victories by the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams ought to qualify for anyone with a modicum of patriotic feeling.

First the women won on a stellar goal by Megan Keller. The gold-medal game was closer than most expected since the U.S. team had rolled through the field and has been strong for a long time. But Team Canada put up a spirited fight.

The victory by the men was even more special as the first U.S. Olympic gold medal in hockey since the 1980 “miracle on ice” over the Soviets. The Canadian men have long been dominant and beat the Yanks in overtime in 2010. That made Sunday’s victory all the more satisfying for American hockey.

The best moment was watching Jack Hughes—he of the gap-toothed hockey smile—celebrate in ecstatic fashion with his teammates after he slipped a shot through the legs of the Canadian goalie for the victory.

Anyone who has experienced the thrill of a team victory after years of hard work knows such a moment is unlike few others in life. Mr. Hughes, who plays professionally for the New Jersey Devils, may never have to buy a drink in New Jersey again.

But the 24-year-old was even more impressive in his interview after the game on NBC. He paid tribute to the team’s goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, who saved the day multiple times as Team Canada outplayed the Yanks for most of the third period. And then Mr. Hughes said without a trace of cynical calculation, “This is all about our country now. I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong . . . I’m so proud to be American today.”

Imagine that: An expression of unabashed patriotism from an American athlete.

No doubt Canadians feel the loss to the U.S. more acutely amid President Trump’s jingoistic and needless attacks on their sovereignty. But Mr. Hughes paid tribute to the Canadians, and his patriotism was born of passionate competition rather than politics. Yet given who else is likely to run, we could do worse than Jack Hughes for President.


Link: Hughes