Jack Hughes Details Interest in His Life Amid Tate McRae Dating Rumor

Jul 17, 2026 - 22:16
0 1
Jack Hughes Details Interest in His Life Amid Tate McRae Dating Rumor

Jack Hughes Details Navigating Interest in His Personal Life Amid Rumored Romance With Tate McRae

Jack Hughes is keeping details about his personal life in a neutral zone. 

Months after the New Jersey Devils player and Tate McRae were first linked, he addressed how he navigates newfound interest in what he does off the ice. 

“I’m a pretty normal guy,” Hughes told E! News in an exclusive interview at the TIME100 Sports Gala July 16. “I’m just doing my thing—hanging with my family, my friends. Being who I am and that’s about it.”

And while the NHL player—who was honored alongside fellow athletes like Jalen Brunson, Alysa Liu and LeBron James at the event—wasn’t spilling any details about his possible romance with the “Tit for Tat” singer, he shared a bit of insight into how he’s enjoying the offseason. 

“So many rounds of golf, honestly,” the 25-year-old mused, reiterating that he’s spent a lot of time with his close knit circle. “The Fourth of July was awesome back home. I’m lucky I’ve had a great summer and now it’s time to get back at it.”

Indeed, the Orlando, Florida, native admitted he’s going to have to “ramp it up” ahead of NHL season officially commencing in September. 

“Just getting back on the ice and grinding and doing what I’ve done for years,” Hughes added. “I’m excited for next year and going to be fun and get back at it.”

As for the interest in what’s heating up for Hughes off the ice? The hockey star began sparking dating rumors with McRae back in December, when the duo stepped out for a walk in New York City after the “Greedy” singer attended one of his hockey games earlier that same month. 

Ever since, the duo has stepped out together periodically—and while multiple outlets reported in March that they are in a relationship, they have yet to confirm themselves. 

Manny Carabel/Getty Images

Although he’s not sharing any details on his hockey love story, Hughes admitted he’s excited about the newfound interest in his sport thanks to breakout rom-com shows Heated Rivalry and Off Campus

“I know people really enjoy them,” Hughes explained, “and maybe it’s ‘cause the hockey market is not that tapped into yet.”

And while the Olympian hasn’t seen the new series himself, he expressed gratitude for the attention they’re bringing to the game. 

“I know fans obviously love ‘em,” he added. “So, it’s pretty cool for the game.”

For more athletes and their partners, keep reading… 

—Reporting by Nikaline McCarley

Instagram

Christian McCaffrey & Olivia Culpo

"He's very loyal. He's very dependable, which I really appreciate. He's also extremely supportive. I feel like within our relationship, we really do value the dreams and the successes and the ambitions of the other person. Because of that, we're able to have a really nice balance because we both do lead such busy lives. Our love for each other comes first, and we show that through the support that we have." —Olivia, wife to San Francisco 49ers running back Christian

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Josh Allen & Hailee Steinfeld 

"To say the least, I am so proud of that man. Everything he’s done and everything that the team has done together, he is the hardest working person I know.” —Hailee, Oscar nominee and fiancée to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh

Amanda Wallace

Bubba Wallace & Amanda Wallace

"I admire my husband most for his competitiveness on and off the track!" —Amanda, artist and wife to NASCAR driver Bubba

Instagram

Isaac Rochell & Allison Kuch

"I've been with my husband for over eight years now and I think one thing I love about him is that he doesn't let the NFL define him. I think that he is so much more off the field. While he does love football that much, he is a caring husband. He's a caring dog dad. He's currently outside building something in our garage. He likes to play with power tools and all of that. My husband is my best friend and I'm so grateful for his support." —Allison, content creator and wife to retired defensive end Isaac

Instagram

Jonathan Owens & Simone Biles

"I knew he was the one when I first met his mom. She has a little bit of a disability with her walking, she's gotten a lot stronger, but how he treated his mother and how he treats women, I was like, 'Wow.' Almost weekly he brings me flowers. It's kind of cliché but it's just so cute because, after his practices from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., he still takes the time to put a smile on my face." —Simone, Olympic gymnast and wife to football player Jonathan

Whitney Dillon

Austin Dillon & Whitney Ward

"I admire Austin for his heart! He would do anything for the people he loves. I also love how loyal and honest he is in everything he does."—Whitney, former NFL cheerleader and wife to NASCAR driver Austin

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

Chris Taylor & Mary Keller Taylor

"Chris always leaves baseball at the field and makes it a point to be fully present at home no matter how things are going for him and his team. He is a truly selfless person, which shows through how actively he participates in running our CT3 Foundation. He'll purposefully schedule Zooms and calls about our upcoming charity events in the morning before he has to head to work for the whole day, just because he doesn't want everything to fall to me. What a guy." —Mary, real estate agent and wife to Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player Chris

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

Justin Turner & Kourtney Turner

"I admire Justin so much for his patience and ability to be completely present in the moment. He could be at an event, helping someone at a baseball clinic, spending time with a patient at the hospital and have a million other things going on but if you are with him, he will feel like the only person in the room." —Kourtney, lifestyle blogger and wife to MLB player Justin

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

“I love you so much. I’m so proud of you, I can’t stand it. Look what you did. Look what you did.” —Taylor, singer and fiancée to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis

Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for 2K

Taylor Fritz & Morgan Riddle

"I admire Taylor's incredible resilience to failure, which in tennis is something that happens almost every week as there is only one winner each week. He really makes me feel like we're a team and that our success works in tandem." —Morgan, influencer and girlfriend to professional tennis player Taylor

Instagram

Mike Weir & Michelle Money

"What I love the most about Mike is his commitment and loyalty to whatever and whomever he loves! He is an amazing father and stepfather as well! Our girls and I are so lucky to have him as an example of hard work and passion!" —Michelle, Bachelor Nation star and wife to professional golfer Mike

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Joey Logano & Brittany Logano

"I admire Joey's ability to be present. Whether it be work or at home, he is fully submersed and can make you feel like you're all that matters in that moment. I admire his work ethic and passion. He sets goals and he has a plan to achieve them. I admire his ability to not let other people's opinions about him affect his efforts to succeed. Lastly, I admire his compassion towards people. He truly is the best human I am blessed to know, and that I get to live life with." —Brittany, former ice skater and wife to NASCAR driver Joey

Gotham/FilmMagic

Patrick Mahomes & Brittany Mahomes

“He is a true leader and a team player. He continued to ask himself what he could do better to lead this team to the Super Bowl. I saw so much behind the scenes that I will forever be in awe of you as a person and a football player!" —Brittany, former soccer player and wife to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick

Instagram

Kyle Juszczyk & Kristin Juszczyk

"There is no one that inspires me more to go after my dreams than him. Seeing him wake up every day with a smile on his face because he gets to call football 'work' is incredibly motivating. I have always admired his dedication and commitment to his craft. From pushing his body to the limit, to growing his own produce at home, every hour of his day is focused on bettering himself. Kyle is the most honorable, humble, loyal and genuine man I have ever met. I am incredibly lucky to call him my husband." —Kristin, designer and wife to San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle

Jason Davis/Getty Images

Daniel Suarez & Julia Piquet

"What I admire and respect the most about Daniel is his work ethic. Every single day I witness him pour his heart into his craft. He is one of the most determined persons I know. He is also incredibly intelligent, humble and very kind." —Julia, racing correspondent and wife to NASCAR driver Daniel

Instagram

Matthew Stafford & Kelly Stafford

"He is this funny, smart, witty guy that I wish the whole world could see. He's just so gentle and caring with our little girls who love him with all their hearts. He was meant to be a girl dad." —Kelly, podcaster and wife to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew

Instagram

Jake Funk & Hannah Ann Sluss

"We share a common vision for the future. I don't want to change anything about him. I mean, he's my best friend and we just truly enjoy being around each other." —Hannan Ann, Bachelor Nation star and wife to running back Jake

Instagram

Daniel Norris & Sage Erickson

"I love him and I love that we're both athletes and we can understand what we go through. We very much understand long distance. We understand wins and losses and ups and downs and staying positive and we're probably both a little bit crazy at this point from our sports and trying to adapt and stay on it." —Sage, surfer wife to MLB pitcher Daniel

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Wow Wow 0
Sad Sad 0
Angry Angry 0

Comments (0)

User