Team USA hockey star 'fired up' to represent Stars and Stripes in Olympics: 'Where you want to be'

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Jack Hughes has worn a USA jersey before — but next month will be a whole different level.

The New Jersey Devils superstar was part of the U.S. National Development Program Team from 2017 through becoming the first overall pick in 2019. During that time, he played in numerous global tournaments, including the 2019 World Juniors, and last year, he was part of the 4 Nations tournament.

Last year, Hughes said, was a "pretty crazy buildup," but the number of nations in next year's fight for Olympic gold will reach 12, making it a true international competition.

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Jack Hughes of Team United States warms up before the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game against Team Canada at TD Garden on Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston. (Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

"I haven't played international play really, since 2019 in the World Juniors. So to be able to play in the Olympics, I mean, that's the biggest stage too, so just really excited and something I'm looking forward to," Hughes said to Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

The United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden took part in the tournament last year, which was the first time international hockey featured best-on-best competition since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

For Hughes, it was a whole different brand of the sport.

"Just how competitive and how fun the games were. I mean, you got the best players in the world, all in one game, there's only one puck. It's just crazy," Hughes said.

"Like, it's crazy how fast those games were and how skilled they were and how the littlest plays can make a huge difference, or a little