After he skated over to the opponent’s bench, pulling U.S. Olympic teammate Tage Thompson onto the ice so he also could share in the adulation of the ‘U-S-A, U-S-A’ chants from the sold-out crowd at the Prudential Center … after he made sure to acknowledge that the U.S. women’s team also won the gold medal, another classy gesture … Jack Hughes skated to center ice, holding a mic with one hand, pounding his heart with the other.
He was showing the roaring crowd how he really felt.
“You make me emotional,” he said.
The ceremony marked Hughes’ first game since his overtime goal on Sunday gave the U.S. its first men’s hockey goal medal in the Olympics since the Miracle on Ice in 1980. He was clearly moved by the moment.
Hughes worked to regain his composure, then almost lost it again while making it a true New Jersey homecoming.
“I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization, and I’m so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey,” he said.
The crowd roared even more.
It was the start of a speech that lasted less than a minute — far shorter than the 15-minute press conference with about three dozen members of the media after the game. And far more exciting than the team’s lackluster 2-1 loss that followed.
Of course, the evening was about more than just the game for the thousands who rushed to make it a sellout. It was about experiencing a sense of the patriotism pouring over the country that hasn’t been felt since the 9/11.
The last few days, which included an ovation at the State of the Union address on Tuesday, clearly have been special to Hughes and his USA teammates.
Wednesday night may have been a Jersey event, but it was an American moment.
Hughes offered appreciation and gratitude “from the bottom of my heart” — and from the entire the U.S. squad.
“We just want to thank you guys for all the love and support,” he said. “We feel it.”
More than 16,000 at the Prudential Center felt the same way.
