All young hockey players dream of making it to the NHL and playing in major international tournaments. Jack Hughes was no exception. Now, a letter he wrote to himself back in 2019 has resurfaced and is going viral among hockey fans.
Hughes has emerged as a superstar in the NHL. In his 404 games with the New Jersey Devils, he has tallied 153 goals and 234 assists. Drafted first overall in 2019, he is a key part of the Devils’ young core alongside team captain Nico Hischier and his brother, Luke Hughes.
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Jack Hughes letter to himself
Before the draft, ESPN asked Hughes to write a letter to his future self. Since Sunday, the letter has resurfaced, going viral among fans—especially for one striking prediction about the Olympics.
A part of the letter reads:
“Remember all those winters? All day and night on the outdoor rink with Quinn and Luke? That’s where everything started. Your brothers made you who you are on and off the ice. I hope you did the same for them and that they had great NHL careers, too.
Maybe you even suited up with them a couple of times in the NHL. Maybe we all represented the United States at the Olympics or World Championships. And maybe we won a gold medal (or medals) together. What an honor that would be.”
Fans are moved
Fans are praising the letter, which Hughes wrote when he was just 17 years old.
“Jack Hughes writing a letter to his future self at 17 before the draft and then living out everything that letter dreamed of seven years later is the most full-circle Olympic story of 2026. That kid had no idea he would one day score the overtime gold medal winner against Canada. The letter always knew before he did,” one fan wrote on X.
“Most of us can’t even stick to a New Year’s resolution for three weeks. Jack Hughes didn’t just meet the expectations; he lapped them. This belongs in a time capsule for the next generation of athletes,” another fan added.
You can read the full letter below.
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