Jack Hughes’ International Career

Has Jack Hughes played for Team USA Hockey in the Olympics?

No, Jack Hughes never has played for Team USA at the Olympics. The 2026 Milan Cortina Games will be the first to feature NHL players since Sochi 2014. 

How did Jack Hughes perform at the IIHF World Junior Championship?

Jack Hughes played at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2019, where he recorded four assists in four games en route to Team USA’s silver medal victory. 

His more notable international performances came at the IIHF U18 World Championships in 2018 and 2019. Hughes was named the best forward and the MVP of the tournament when the U.S. won silver in 2018 after scoring five goals and registering 12 points in seven games. The following year, he ramped it up to tally nine goals and 20 points in seven games as Team USA took home bronze.

Did Jack Hughes compete in the World Championship or World Cup of Hockey?

Jack Hughes never has played in the World Cup of Hockey, but he did play in the world cfhampionship in 2019. As a 17-year-old, Hughes became the youngest player ever to represent Team USA at that tournament. He tallied three assists in seven games as the United States finished 7th after being eliminated by Russia in the quarterfinals.

How many points has Jack Hughes scored for Team USA?

Across his international career, Jack Hughes has scored 19 goals and 32 assists for a grand total of 51 points in 24 games played. That includes the World U17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18 World Championship, World Juniors, world championship, and 4 Nations Face-Off. 

Hughes still holds the Team USA record for most points at the IIHF U18 World Championship, where he totaled 32 points across 14 games played in 2018 and 2019. 

Has Jack Hughes played alongside his brother Luke Hughes for Team USA?

Jack Hughes never has played with his younger brother, Luke, for Team USA, but they both have played for the New Jersey Devils since Luke joined the team at the end of the 2022-23 NHL season. The brothers are separated by about two and a half years, so by the time Luke made his international debut at the 2019 World U17 Hockey Challenge, Jack already had graduated to playing at a higher level. 

Jack has played with his older brother, Quinn, for Team USA multiple times and will be reunited once more at the Milan Cortina Olympics. They previously played together in the 2019 World Championship as well as the 2019 World Junior Championship. 

Jack Hughes’ Road to Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics

Will Jack Hughes play for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Yes, Jack Hughes is one of 25 players selected to represent the United States in the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympics. He appeared on TODAY in early January to announce the roster for both the men’s and women’s hockey teams. 

Could Jack Hughes win his first Olympic medal at Milan Cortina 2026?

Jack Hughes has a good chance of winning his first Olympic medal at Milan Cortina 2026. Team USA is one of the frontrunners to challenge for a spot on the podium based on the depth of the talent on the roster and the team’s perennial position as one of the world’s hockey powerhouses. 

What are Jack Hughes’ stats in the 2025–26 NHL season?

Jack Hughes missed 18 games during the 2025-26 NHL season due to a freak injury to his finger that required surgery, but that has not impacted his offensive output. Hughes is scoring at a point-per-game pace thus far with 11 goals and 30 points in 29 games played. 

Who could Jack Hughes’ linemates be on Team USA at the 2026 Olympics?

Jack Hughes can play both center and wing, so there is an opportunity for him to switch between the two positions depending on the needs of the team. If Hughes were to skate at center, he likely would play on the third line since Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews would slot in ahead of him down the middle. In that case, Hughes might be paired up with players like Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson on a more two-way focused line.

If they decide to run Hughes as a wing, that opens up the possibility of frontloading the team’s offense and putting him alongside stars like Matthews and Kyle Connor. That potentially could end up being the team’s highest-scoring trio thanks to Hughes’ playmaking ability coupled with the goal-scoring mentality of both Matthews and Connor. 

How does Jack Hughes train and prepare for international play?

Jack Hughes is known for his competitive attitude, even in practice and training. Over the summers, Hughes typically trains alongside his brothers, Quinn and Luke, as well as a group of fellow NHLers in Michigan. 

Which teams will be the biggest competition for Jack Hughes and Team USA at the 2026 Milan Olympics?

Canada is expected to be the biggest roadblock for Jack Hughes and Team USA to get past at the 2026 Winter Games. The two nations long have been battling for the title of best in the world and, although Canada historically has come out on top more often, the U.S. won the most recent world championship. Team Canada defeated the U.S. at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, where both rosters featured many of the same players that will skate at the Milan Cortina Games. 

Sweden also is considered a top contender for the podium with a diverse roster featuring seasoned veterans in addition to young talent. Finland is the most recent Olympic champion in hockey, though the team has fallen to 7th in the IIHF World Ranking since then.