Jack Hughes: From Broken Smile to Olympic Glory and NHL Success
Jack Hughes recently returned to the ice with a new smile after breaking his teeth during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics. Following Team USA's gold medal win against Canada, Hughes rejoined his NHL team, the New Jersey Devils, in March. The Devils confirmed that Hughes had his top teeth fixed on March 17. Hughes' broken smile became an iconic image of Team USA's victory.
During the gold-medal game, Hughes suffered a facial injury when Canada's Sam Bennett's high stick hit him, causing him to chip some teeth. Despite the injury, Hughes scored the winning goal in sudden-death overtime, securing Team USA's first hockey title since 1980. Hughes' mother, Ellen, expressed relief that the injury was limited to his teeth and credited his mouth guard for preventing more serious damage.
Dr. Jason Auerbach, the official oral surgeon of the New Jersey Devils, highlighted the importance of custom-fit mouth guards in protecting teeth during sports activities. While mouth guards offer some protection, they may not prevent all injuries, especially from high-velocity impacts like a slap shot to the face. Auerbach noted that Hughes' dental injuries did not require surgery and appeared to be primarily dental in nature.
Following his Olympic success, Hughes made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he joked about not wanting to spend more time in the dentist's chair. Hughes reassured Fallon that his chipped tooth would not become his signature look. As Hughes continues to play for the Devils, he has shown strong performance on the ice, scoring 21 points post-Olympics. The top pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Hughes is currently in the fourth year of his lucrative contract with the Devils.
Reflecting on Hughes' achievements, Dr. Auerbach expressed immense pride in Team USA's victory and Hughes' contribution to the sport. As a New Jersey resident and supporter of the Devils, Auerbach felt a personal connection to Hughes' success on the ice. Hughes' resilience and determination in overcoming his dental injury have further solidified his place as a key player for both Team USA and the New Jersey Devils.