Whatever ESPN Reporter Did To America’s Hockey Hero, It Unleashed His Inner Beast

An ESPN reporter tried to crack a joke with American hockey hero and Devils star Jack Hughes mid-game Thursday. It clearly rubbed him the wrong way, but it might also have unleashed his inner beast.

Hughes, who scored Team USA’s gold-medal-winning goal in February, had to sit out for a month last season after suffering a freak injury when he sliced his finger on glass during a team dinner. At the time of his injury, Hughes was cooking, but his season took a hit because it required surgery. (RELATED: US Thrashes Canada In Olympic Gold Medal Game On Washington’s Birthday)

On Thursday, ESPN reporter A.J. Mleczko tried to crack a joke about it in the middle of the game between the Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers.

“Well, it’s great to see you healthy. Let’s wrap you in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery this year. That sound good?” ESPN’s A.J. Mleczko asked him.

Hughes was having none of it.

“I mean, I think that’s a weird joke mid-game,” he replied before coolly skating away.

Later in overtime, Hughes put away the game-winner and then threw his stick into the crowd.

Of course, some X users thought Hughes’ remark was mean or misogynistic. One user wrote: “Jack Hughes had a very public display of misogyny that he’s not coming back from in my mind, unless he shows that he has grown up and learned. That’s harmless, but pretty inappropriate thing to say to a professional athlete.”

Others came to his defense.

But what did people expect would happen when you ask a pro athlete a dumb question mid-game, or just try to joke around with him?

An NHL player is going to be fired up on adrenaline, with his testosterone surging. He really does not have time for an ESPN reporter. He certainly does not have time for a joke. He’s dialed in. He’s focused on the game. He’s about to carry his team to victory.

Hopefully, the ESPN reporter’s feelings weren’t hurt too badly. You mess with Jack Hughes, you get the Devil’s horns.