Olympic Glory Spotlights Private Life (Image Credits: Hollywoodlife.com)
Jack Hughes emerged as a national hero after scoring the overtime winner that secured Olympic gold for Team USA in men’s ice hockey against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Olympic Glory Spotlights Private Life
Hughes’ dramatic goal on February 22 in Milan-Cortina thrust him into the global spotlight, but attention quickly shifted to whispers of a romance with Canadian singer Tate McRae.[1]
The 24-year-old New Jersey Devils center and the 22-year-old Calgary native have fueled speculation through multiple public appearances since late 2025. Neither has confirmed nor denied the link. Canadian fans reacted strongly post-gold medal, urging McRae to end any ties with the American athlete who dashed their hopes.[2]
McRae’s appearance in an NBC Olympics promo earlier drew backlash, prompting her Instagram response affirming loyalty to Canada. Her silence since the game only intensified the buzz.
November Dinner Date Kicks Off Rumors
Rumors began in November 2025 when Hughes and McRae dined face-to-face at Anton’s in New York City’s West Village.[3]
Paparazzi captured the pair in a seemingly intimate setting, marking the first concrete evidence of their connection. This outing followed McRae’s split from rapper The Kid LAROI earlier that year.
December Walk and Game Appearance
On December 21, 2025, McRae attended a Devils game at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, shortly after Hughes returned from a thumb injury.[3]
The next day, photographers spotted them strolling through New York City streets, bundled in coats and baseball caps, smiling and laughing side by side. Hughes wore a brace on his right hand, while McRae held a hot beverage.[1]
Representatives for both declined comment at the time, leaving fans to connect the dots.
January Birthday Bash in New Jersey
Speculation grew in January 2026 when witnesses reported seeing the pair at Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken, New Jersey.[4]
The visit coincided with a birthday party for a Devils teammate. Fans posed for photos with McRae, and gossip accounts shared the details online. This local outing suggested comfort in each other’s company closer to Hughes’ home turf.
- November 2025: Dinner at Anton’s, West Village, NYC.
- December 21, 2025: McRae at Devils game, Prudential Center.
- December 22, 2025: Cozy NYC walk.
- January 2026: Mulligan’s Pub birthday party, Hoboken.
- Ongoing: Social media hints and Olympic timing.
National Rivalry Meets Pop Culture
Hughes’ brother Quinn, Team USA captain, liked an Instagram post hinting at the couple, adding subtle endorsement.[1]
McRae, fresh off a Grammy nomination and her chart-topping album So Close to What?, faced divided loyalties as a Canadian supporting an American rival. Her Paris Instagram post mid-Olympics sparked theories of travel to cheer Hughes in Italy.[2]
Post-gold silence from McRae, including a unrelated selfie on game day, kept the mystery alive.
Key Takeaways:
- No official confirmation despite multiple sightings.
- Rumors blend sports triumph with music stardom.
- Canada-USA hockey rivalry amplifies fan reactions.
These encounters paint a picture of potential romance, yet the stars maintain privacy amid heightened scrutiny. As Hughes returns to the Devils and McRae tours, will clarity emerge? What do you think about the pairing? Share in the comments.
