Jack and Quinn Hughes are NHL stars representing Team USA at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, continuing a family hockey legacy built by their parents and shared with their younger brother. Here’s what you need to know.
1. The Hughes Brothers Come From a Hockey Family
In the Hughes family, hockey is more than a sport — it’s the family business.
Jack and Quinn are the sons of Jim Hughes and Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, both longtime hockey coaches. Ellen played for the U.S. women’s national team and won silver at the 1992 IIHF Women’s World Championships. Jim played defense at Providence College before building a career in coaching and player development across North America.
The couple also share a third son, Luke, who plays in the NHL alongside Jack with the New Jersey Devils.
“It’s just super special,” Jack told Olympics.com in February 2026 of competing alongside Quinn while their mother works with Team USA’s women’s program. “We’re super happy for our mom. She really enjoys what she’s doing.”
2. Jack & Quinn Hughes Are Both a Part of Team USA for the 2026 Olympics
Jack and Quinn made their Olympic debut together at the 2026 Winter Games as members of the U.S. men’s hockey team.
The brothers helped lead Team USA through wins over Latvia, Denmark, Germany and Sweden to advance deep into the tournament.
Because they play different positions — Jack as a forward and Quinn as a defenseman — they rarely share the ice at the NHL level. The Olympics changed that.
“I wanted to play with him all night,” Jack said after a 5-1 win over Latvia. “It’s so fun to be doing give-and-gos with him, playing off each other.”
For the Hughes brothers, wearing the same jersey on Olympic ice marks a rare and meaningful moment in their careers.
3. Quinn Hughes Delivered a Massive Olympic Moment
Quinn entered the 2026 Games determined to make an impact after withdrawing from a previous Team USA roster due to injury.
The Vancouver Canucks defenseman — who was drafted seventh overall in 2018 after playing at the University of Michigan — delivered one of the tournament’s biggest goals.
Quinn scored the game-winner against Sweden in the quarterfinals, sending the U.S. into the semifinals.
“That’s unreal. That’s a massive goal, massive moment,” Jack said. “One of our best players taking over there and winning that game for us.”
Quinn has also gained attention for his intense, blank stares during games, which have inspired online jokes about him “seeing Victorian ghosts.” He addressed the memes with the Boston Globe, saying, “I’m usually pretty zoned in… as the people say, I’m usually seeing ghosts.”
4. Jack Hughes Is a Former No. 1 Overall Pick
Jack was selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft and currently plays for the New Jersey Devils.
Unlike Quinn and Luke, who both played at the University of Michigan, Jack skipped college hockey and went directly to the NHL.
He plays primarily at forward but has shown versatility by shifting to the wing in international play.
Beyond hockey, Jack made headlines in December after sparking romance rumors with pop star Tate McRae when the two were spotted together in New York City.
Still, his focus in Italy remains on chasing Olympic gold.
5. The Hughes Family Built Their Game Across North America
Jim and Ellen moved frequently due to Jim’s coaching career.
Quinn and Jack were born in Orlando, Florida, where Jim worked as a minor league assistant. Luke was born in New Hampshire. The family later lived in Boston before settling in Toronto, where Jim became director of player development for the Maple Leafs.
Toronto proved formative for the brothers.
“They grew their passion for the game outdoors,” Jim told ESPN in 2018. “There was no structure. They just had fun, but everything was a competition.”
Ellen now serves as player development coach for the U.S. women’s hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.
“Never in a million years did I think that I would be in Italy and have the opportunity to be a part of the women’s Olympic team,” Ellen told The Athletic. “And then to have two sons there, you just count your blessings … and hope for a lot of wins.”
Team USA’s Jack & Quinn Hughes: Five Fast Facts You Need to Know