U.S. men’s hockey gold medalist Jack Hughes had a full night Saturday before he ever set foot in Studio 8H.
The New Jersey Devils center appeared during Saturday Night Live’s monologue alongside his brother Quinn Hughes and U.S. women’s hockey stars Hilary Knight and Megan Keller—but just hours before, he was on the ice in St. Louis.
The Devils’ game against the Blues began at 5 p.m. ET, with Hughes logging significant minutes in a 3–1 New Jersey win. He recorded his 27th assist of the season and picked up his first penalty of the year—a delay-of-game call after sending the puck over the glass early in the third period.
Because of the tight turnaround, Hughes did not participate in SNL’s dress rehearsal at 30 Rock. Instead, cast member Tommy Brennan reportedly filled in for him.
By airtime, however, Hughes had made it to New York, joining the onstage Olympic celebration during host Connor Storrie’s monologue. The travel hustle was not mentioned during the live broadcast.
The cameo capped a whirlwind 48 hours for Hughes, who had a game in Pittsburgh Thursday night before flying to St. Louis for Saturday’s game. As we’ve reported, he and his brother Quinn are scheduled to appear alongside fellow gold medalist Hilary Knight on Monday night’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, ahead of the Devils’ next game on Tuesday in New Jersey.
