Jack Hughes of the Devils Recognized by TIME Magazine as a Top Influencer in Sports

Jack Hughes, the standout center for the New Jersey Devils, has achieved another milestone in his burgeoning career by being named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026 by TIME Magazine. This recognition follows his remarkable performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where he scored the game-winning goal, often referred to as the "Golden Goal," securing a gold medal for Team USA.

Hughes stands out as the sole men's hockey representative on the prestigious list, which features other sporting legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Victor Wembanyama, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In the "Titans" section of the publication, Senior Correspondent Sean Gregory penned Hughes's tribute, highlighting the unforgettable image of the athlete celebrating with the American flag, bloodied and missing two front teeth after the thrilling overtime victory against Canada. "Has anyone, in or out of the dentist’s chair, shined more brightly after losing teeth than Jack Hughes?" Gregory wrote, encapsulating the spirit of the moment.

In addition to Hughes, the list also acknowledges women's hockey luminaries like Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin. Knight made history as the all-time Olympic leading goal scorer for the U.S. women, contributing to their gold medal victory over Canada in Italy.

Hughes’s exceptional skills on the ice continue to impress; he became the fastest player in New Jersey Devils history to reach 400 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 414 games on March 16, 2026. Now at 24 years old, Hughes boasts an impressive total of 428 points over his NHL career, including 27 goals and 50 assists in the 2025-26 season.

The recent Olympic triumphs for both the men's and women's teams, dubbed the "Double Gold," marked a historic achievement, as it was the first time both squads captured gold medals in the same Olympic Games. Additionally, the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team secured its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Winter Games in March.