Jack Hughes’ whirlwind month has come with some big news in his personal life.
Amid rumors that the Devils and USA men’s hockey star was seeing pop star Tate McRae, US Weekly confirmed that the two are now “exclusively” dating.
“Tate and Jack are dating,” a source told US Weekly on Wednesday. “They started casually seeing each other late last year, so it’s still new, but they are exclusively seeing each other.”
The two were seen on a dinner date in November and then spotted on a stroll in New York in December, fueling dating speculation. Entertainment Tonight reported last week that Hughes, 24, and the “exes” singer were “having fun getting to know each other.” McRae, 22, was also seen at Prudential Center at a Devils home game.
“[Tate] thinks [Jack] is a really cool guy and they have been having a lot of fun together,” the source told US Weekly. “She has been so supportive of his career and has been loving going to the games and cheering him on.”
The dating news comes not long after Hughes solidified himself as a United States men’s hockey hero with his gold-medal-winning goal against the Canadians in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. It sealed the Americans’ first Olympic gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
Hughes went on the celebration circuit, first going to Miami with his teammates and then going to the White House and President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address last week.
Hughes, in his NHL return last Wednesday, spoke to the New Jersey crowd about how he was proud of what both the American men and women accomplished en route to their respective gold medals.
“I’m so proud and I’m so happy that the men’s and women’s USA hockey teams brought the gold medals back,” Hughes said, drawing a huge ovation. “You guys are making me emotional, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils. And I’m so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey — so proud. From the bottom of my heart, all of my teammates, USA teammates, we just want to thank you guys for all the love and support. We feel it.”
McRae, a Calgary native, caught some flak during the Olympics for appearing on an NBC ad featuring American athletes, though she later clarified on her Instagram story that she was “Canada down.”
Amid all the McRae speculation and gold medal good feelings, a report surfaced that suggested the NHL star was to soon marry “daughter of billionaire Indian-American business exec Nikesh Arora.”
Pat Brisson, Hughes’ agent, clarified with Forbes that the report was a case of “mistaken identity.”
Hughes has recorded five points, all assists, in the four games since he returned to the Devils, who own a 2-2 record since the Olympic break.
