The first Hughes to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics is Ellen Hughes

It finally happened. USA Hockey has brought home the gold medal. In the latest version of the USA-Canada rivalry, the Americans came from behind in the third period and beat those north of the border in overtime.

Of course, we’re referencing the women’s hockey team, who brought home their third gold medal overall. After losing the 2022 final, this is a sweet victory for the USA team, getting back its advantage in the rivalry. 

Of course, the USA-Canada rivalry had everyone's attention last year at the 4 Nations Face-Off. There, Jack Hughes got a taste of international hockey. This year, a different Hughes family member got to see up close and personal the impacts of this rivalry. 

That only got us more excited for the women’s gold medal game on Thursday afternoon. It was inevitable that Canada and the U.S. would face off. They’ve faced off in the women’s hockey gold medal game in every Olympics except for one. 

Ellen Weinberg-Hughes becomes the first member of the Hughes family with a gold medal

One person who knows all about this rivalry is Ellen Hughes. Then-Ellen Weinberg, the mother of Jack, Luke, and Quinn Hughes, was a member of Team USA in 1992 at the IIHF World Championships. There, in the gold medal game, Canada embarrassed the USA by a score of 8-0.

This must have been personal for the matriarch. Now, Hughes is an advisor for women’s hockey across the world, and she played a key role on Team USA this year. She’s the player development coach for the women’s team. 

She got the role due to a personal relationship with current head coach John Wroblewski. Wroblewski was once a coach for the Hughes brothers in their youth, so when he got the job as women’s head coach, the conversation with Ellen Hughes began. She was up for a role that was equal parts player development and coaching.

Hughes plays a pivotal role in advancing the women’s team and helping the players get into the right mindset. She’s basically a go-between for the coaches and players. Now, those players are wearing a gold medal. And Ellen Weinberg-Hughes gets a medal, as well. 

She takes home the first gold medal for the family, payback for the one she lost 34 years ago. Now, her sons can help the USA win its first gold medal in 46 years. Can Quinn and Jack Hughes match the impact their mother has had? Only time will tell.