How were Jack Hughes and Tage Thompson honored?

Olympic return: a heroes' welcome in Newark

The New Jersey Devils staged a pregame celebration to welcome back Jack Hughes and Tage Thompson after their roles on Team USA’s Olympic run. Both forwards received extended recognition from fans and the organization as the NHL resumed play following the three‑week break for the Winter Olympics.

Hughes, who delivered the decisive goal that sealed the United States’ gold-medal victory, was greeted with a rousing standing ovation. The ceremony included on-ice introductions and moments that allowed both players to acknowledge the crowd. Hughes delivered a brief speech, expressing gratitude and pride in representing his country and in the support he received upon returning to the Devils’ arena. Teammates and coaches joined in the public celebration, underscoring how the Olympic accomplishment has become a unifying storyline for the club.

Why the reception matters

• It creates momentum and a morale boost for the Devils as the NHL season resumes.
• The spotlight increases both players’ profiles in New Jersey — a short-term lift for attendance, media attention and locker-room leadership narrative.
• For Hughes specifically, the goal that clinched Olympic gold transformed him into a national figure; that elevated status now carries over to his NHL obligations.

The event also served as a reminder that international success can reshape a season’s arc. The timing — immediately after the Olympic break and ahead of a regular-season push — means the Devils will be managing the balance between celebration and reintegrating players into daily team routines. The long-term impact will hinge on how Hughes and Thompson translate Olympic confidence into performance for the Devils over the stretch run.