by Dennis Augustine
When Jack Hughes scored the overtime golden goal for Team USA, the nation erupted.
For me, it was personal.
My late brother Michael loved hockey. He passed that love to the four greatest joys of his life — Michael Jr., Andrew, Brock, and Alex. Being their dad meant everything to him.
He cheered for the New Jersey Devils with pure Jersey loyalty — there’s a photo here of him at a 2017 game, smiling exactly where he belonged.
Watching Hughes battle through pain, praise the women’s team , show sportsmanship , and speak proudly about his country — that’s more than talent. That’s character.
Behind champions are strong families. Hughes’ mother won Olympic silver and raised her boys with heart. That legacy shows.
I know Michael would have been on his feet — maybe calling each of his boys after the final buzzer.
This wasn’t just gold.
It was legacy.
Fathers and sons.
Love passed down.
Somewhere, I know he was smiling — proud of the game, and proudest of his boys.
God bless America!
