Jack Hughes got the welcome fitting for an American hero when the New Jersey Devils showed up in Pittsburgh on Thursday as the NHL is resuming play following the Olympic break.
After scoring an overtime goal against Canada on Sunday in Milan and winning gold for the United States for the first time in 46 years, Jack Hughes received a standing ovation at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night.
Before the Penguins game against the Devils, the team honored the players who represented their countries at the Olympics.
“There is no greater honor than to represent your country in the spirit of international competition,” public address announcer Ryan Mill said. “In total, the Penguins and Devils organizations sent a combined sixteen players and staff t0 represent Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.”
The Penguins also recognized the four members of the United States’ women’s hockey team that won gold and were members of the Cranberry Township-based Penguins Elite program.
When New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes was recognized, he received a standing ovation — the same recognition he and fellow American player Tage Thompson received last night in Newark.
“Congratulations to all of our Winter Olympics representatives,” Ryan Mill said.
