Hockey player Jack Hughes sacrificed his teeth during Team USA’s gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, his smile is not gone for good.
The athlete, 24, revealed his plans to repair his teeth in an interview published by NBC affiliates on Monday, February 23.
“I’m gonna fix these things,” he assured. “I want my good smile back.”
During the men’s hockey gold medal game between Team USA and Canada in Italy on Sunday, February 22, Hughes took a high stick to the mouth from opponent Sam Bennett in the third period. Still, he continued playing with a bloody mouth and missing teeth, ultimately scoring the game-winning goal in overtime for a 2-1 victory for the United States.
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In his NBC interview the following day, Hughes explained why there was never any doubt that he would return to the ice after his injury.
“It sounds definitely crazy for you guys because [it ’s] just [a] different profession, but in hockey, if you lose your teeth, it’s not even a question of coming back and playing,” he said. “That’s like automatic.”
Despite his determination to continue playing, Hughes shared his reaction to his missing teeth in the moment he realized they were gone.
“I just was feeling around my mouth, and I was just disappointed I lost my teeth, but it is what it is now,” he recalled.
Hughes previously spoke with an NBC reporter after Sunday’s win, with his post-game interview going viral.
“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA, I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable,” he said at the time. “The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong, and we had so much support from ex-players. I’m so proud to be American today.”
Sunday’s game marked the first time Team USA secured gold in men’s hockey since 1980.
Jack’s teammates reacted to his injury after their win, with his older brother and fellow Team USA hockey player, Quinn Hughes, raving about his sibling’s achievement.
“He’s a freaking gamer,” Quinn, 26, noted. “He’s always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero.”
As for Team USA’s Vincent Trocheck, he pointed out that “it’s pretty easy” to move on from tooth mishaps as a hockey player.
“You lose a lot of teeth as an NHLer,” Trocheck, 32, added. “They get straighter as you lose them more.”
Meanwhile, teammate Matt Boldy appeared to have the best take on Jack’s situation.
“Who cares at this point?” Boldy, 24, asked. “To be honest, I think more people are looking at his medal than his teeth.”
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