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Team USA star Jack Hughes has finally gotten his smile back.
The New Jersey Devils center debuted his new smile at the New York Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday, where he and fellow Team USA gold medalist Aerin Frankel threw ceremonial first pitches.
New Jersey Devil Jack Hughes jokes with Olympic hockey player Aerin Frankel before throwing the first pitch at the home opener between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y., on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
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“I threw like 50 pitches like right before morning skate,” Hughes told reporters of his prep time. “My shoulder was so sore, so I was like, ‘We gotta cool it.’”
Hughes, who lost several of his teeth after taking a stick to the mouth during Team USA’s overtime win over Canada at Milano Cortina, was smiling from ear to ear. He said he had hoped throwing out the first pitch might be an honor he would get to be a part of after scoring the game-winner in Italy.
Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Elsa/Getty Images)
JACK HUGHES CLARIFIES REMARKS ON OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL PUCK AFTER HALL OF FAME SAYS IT’S STAYING PUT
“Like when everything went down, this was like the one thing I was wondering if it would happen,” Hughes said, via NHL.com. “I knew a lot of things were coming, but I was like, this is the one thing, I was always like wishing, slash, hoping for, and then when I was like, Opening Day. Like wow, that’s, that’s almost too much, man. That’s a lot of pressure.”
Frankel, the women’s goaltender and a New York native, was happy to continue the Olympics celebration with Hughes in the Bronx.
New Jersey Devils hockey player and Olympian Jack Hughes prepares to throw the opening pitch before the home opener baseball game between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y., on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
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“It’s been awesome,” she said. “So much fun being at the Olympics with the men’s team, getting to support them, watch them win a gold medal. First time in history, the women’s and men’s teams have done that together. So to be able to continue the celebration here in New York for Opening Day was so much fun.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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