Before the New Jersey Devils–Buffalo Sabres matchup even began, Jack Hughes stepped onto the ice carrying more than just momentum — he carried gold. Fresh off Team USA’s Olympic triumph, Hughes shared a brief but powerful moment with the crowd, raising his medal in a gesture that felt both personal and historic. The ovation was loud. Emotional. But what happened next is what turned it viral. A widely shared video captures a 37-second sequence that sent the building into a frenzy — a reaction so explosive it drowned out the music and forced players to pause.

The fans in New Jersey got a chance to salute the gold medalists.

Before the Devils’ game Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres, Jack Hughes got a chance to skate out to center ice for some recognition for his gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics.

Hughes didn’t want to do it alone. On the Sabres is forward Tage Thompson, who was his U.S. teammate.

So before skating out into the spotlight, Hughes headed over to grab Thompson from the Sabres bench.

Together, they got their recognition at center ice.

Hughes, of course, was the final hero on an incredible run to the gold medal game and then past Canada with a 2-1 overtime win. It was Hughes who slotted home the walk-off goal to claim the Olympic championship.

Thompson was a crucial piece of the powerplay throughout the tournament, including a goal and an assist in the Olympic semifinal win over Slovakia.

They were two of 25 members of the team, which won its first gold medal since 1980 in men’s hockey.

It was an awesome gesture by Hughes to bring Thompson out with him. It does more than just recognizing a Devils star for what he did. It allowed the crowd to recognize two of the United States’ talented forwards who were a part of history.