NHL star Jack Hughes likely felt some first-hand embarrassment after missing over a month of NHL action due to a fluke hand injury he suffered while at a team dinner.
On December 21, though, Hughes returned to action against the Buffalo Sabres, and must have felt like one of the coolest humans alive. Not only did he score a goal in his return, but the New Jersey Devils hosted three of the most famous people on the planet — one of whom appeared to be there just for Jack himself.
“For a guy like me, watching these games (injured) sucks,” Hughes said. “To get back out there, personally, I’m just grateful I was able to have a chance to get back out there.”
Paul Skenes & Livvy Dunne
The first pair of famous faces in the crowd were Paul Skenes (771k Instagram followers) and Livvy Dunne (5.3 million Instagram followers). The couple was featured on Devils social media and announced to the crowd early in the game.
Skenes, 23, is the pitching ace for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who unanimously won his first Cy Young Award in November as the National League’s pitcher of the year. Dunne, his girlfriend, is a Westwood, New Jersey native and former LSU gymnast, who was a 2025 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model. She also attended a game in 2023.
“The best time always!” Dunne commented on the Devils’ Instagram account.
She added on her own Instagram Story “love my Devils.”
Tate McRae
Pop musician Tate McRae (8.7 million Instagram followers) was also spotted in the stands by a fan, but she was not announced to the crowd.
McRae, a huge hockey fan who served as an NHL All-Star celebrity co-captain in 2024, is an acquaintance of Hughes. The two had dinner together in New York City in late November, shortly after the Devils’ centerman injured himself, sparking dating rumors.
Our exclusive source said that “the entire restaurant was staring” at Tate, and Jack “seemed nervous, like was looking around a lot when they first sat down.”
McRae sat in the club level at Prudential Center. A Devils fan and contributor to ONNJSports managed to snap a photo with her before she left.
On Monday, Hughes and McRae were spotted by TMZ taking another stroll in NYC. (Pictures here.)
While it’s unclear if the two are a couple, Quinn Hughes — Jack’s older brother — liked a post reporting Tate was at the game.
Jack Hughes missed 18 games total during his stint out of the lineup. The Devils went 8-10-0 during that span. They currently sit tied for fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 41 standings points.
