Hughes brothers dominate in Olympic debut with Team USA's 5-1 win
Brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes have made their Olympic debut together for Team USA in men's hockey. Their first game as teammates ended in a 5-1 victory over Latvia, with each contributing two assists. This marks their first Olympics playing side by side after an injury kept Quinn out of the previous tournament.
Jack Hughes, a forward for the New Jersey Devils, lined up on the fourth line against Latvia but still made a strong impact. Since the 2021-22 season, he has averaged 1.17 points per game, ranking him 12th in the NHL and third among American players. Quinn Hughes, the 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner as the league's top defenseman, led all U.S. skaters in ice time with 21:29, though this was below his usual NHL average.
The Hughes brothers are part of a Team USA squad aiming for its first Olympic gold in men's hockey since 1980. Most of the players, including the brothers, are Olympic rookies—only defensemen Jake Sanderson and Brock Faber have prior experience from the 2022 Games. U.S. general manager Bill Guerin has highlighted Quinn Hughes as a key player who will give the team a significant advantage.
Off the ice, their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, is also involved in the Olympics. She is serving as a player development consultant for the U.S. women's hockey team.
The Hughes brothers have started their Olympic campaign with a strong performance. Their combined six points in the opening game set a positive tone for Team USA's medal ambitions. With Quinn's defensive skill and Jack's scoring ability, they will be central figures as the tournament progresses.
