As coach of the U.S. Men’s Hockey Olympic Team, New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan gets to work alongside some of the team’s top players from a different perspective.

Jack Hughes is a player who has had the Rangers’ number for years with the New Jersey Devils. Hughes has recorded 16 goals, 12 assists, and 28 points in 23 career games against the Blueshirts, the most among all skaters since he entered the NHL in 2019.

Now, Sullivan has the opportunity to coach Hughes at the Olympics and had high praise for his Metropolitan Division rival when talking about him.

“Jack’s been great. I think he gets it,” Sullivan said. “He’s amongst the very best, and that in and of itself is an incredible honor. And to be in the conversation, to make this roster, is extremely difficult when we look at the amount of talent that the United States has developed and can play at this level… Jack is one of our very best.”

Through two Olympic games, the 24-year-old forward has tallied one goal, two assists, and three points.

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Hughes also played under Sullivan at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year in February. He joins two Rangers players, J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck, to represent America at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Mike Sullivan Praises Jack Hughes As One Of The Best Players America Has To Offer