Team USA beat Canada to win the gold medal in the men’s hockey tournament, forcing Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid to settle with silver. After the game, the 2026 Winter Olympics All-Star team was announced, and Jack Hughes didn’t make the cut despite being a crucial player for the Americans.

Per Chris Johnston of The Athletic, the Milan Olympic All-Star team features only two players from the United States, which is surprising considering that they won gold, and Jack Hughes is not one of them.

  • Connor Hellebuyck – USA
  • Quinn Hughes – USA
  • Cale Makar – Canada
  • Connor McDavid – Canada
  • Macklin Celebrini – Canada
  • Juraj Slafkovsky – Slovakia

Should Jack Hughes be in here?

Jack Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime to give Team USA the win in the final game. Hughes, who got high-sticked in the third period and was playing after losing a tooth, might feel snubbed after not getting into the All-Star team and with good reason.

Hughes’ goal secured the gold 46 years to the day after the USA beat the Soviet Union back in the 1980 Olympics, which was USA’s last gold medal in men’s hockey. That game went down as the ‘Miracle on Ice.’ Hughes now brought glory back to the United States at the Olympic level. His brother, Quinn, also scored in the quarterfinals against Sweden.

Hughes is the man of the hour, but Team USA has an unsung hero

While Hughes, who sent a bold message to Canada after his golden goal, is the one getting all the attention—and deservedly so—there’s an unsung hero who actually made the All-Star team. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is regarded as one of the best in the NHL, but now his legacy is at an all-time high. Hellebuyck was incredible during the game, recording 41 saves, which brought him a save percentage of .976.

Hellebuyck also had a crucial save which was borderline impossible that kept Team USA in the game. He managed to elongate his stick just enough to deflect the puck at the very last second. Without that save, Canada would’ve likely won the gold and Jack Hughes’ heroics would’ve never come to fruition.