By Peter Gulliver
The US men’s hockey team beating Canada at “their” game is one thing, but the rivalry between the two combative countries has now reached a fever pitch. Rumors of a romance between Canadian pop star Tate McRae and Team USA Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes have been circulating for months after the two were spotted by paparazzi in NYC enjoying dinner the day after McRae watched him in action with his team, the New Jersey Devils. The dinner date seemed harmless enough, but when the “Greedy” singer later appeared in a promotion for the USA Olympic team, things took a turn. “I’m trying to get to Milan for an amazing opening ceremony and meet Team USA,” McRae said in the ad.
The perceived betrayal of national loyalty was too much for many in the Great White North to handle. Canadians on social media weren’t pleased, and many lashed out. “It’s not Tate McRae; it’s Traitor McRae,” one critic snipped, while others added her to a growing list of “persona non grata” celebrities who’ve abandoned the snow for warmer pastures. An article in the BBC explained, “The backlash comes amid larger political tensions between Canada and the US, after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and repeatedly referred to Canada as the “51st state”.
Neither McRae nor Hughes have confirmed or denied the romance rumors, but the perception is being used as ammo in the mud slinging feud by some in the US, especially after Hughes became a cultural icon following his overtime game-winning goal against Canada.
Conservative political commentator Scott Jennings, known for triggering his left-leaning counterparts on CNN who share the same values as the “elbows up” gang in Canada, shared a clip of Hughes gushing about his love for the United States. “This is all about our country right now. I love the USA,” Hughes told reporters after the game.
Jennings highlighted how Hughes had his teeth knocked out before becoming the hero and scoring the medal-winning goal. He then delivered a devastating blow to Canadian men, by referencing the alleged romantic link between Hughes and McRae.
“He dates Tate McRae, I’m told, who’s Canadian. You can look it up. We took their gold. We took their hot chicks. It’s a good day to be an American!” he gloated.
As Team USA celebrates its epic win, Canadians are in turmoil, with many blaming McRae for the devastating loss and the humiliation the country is now grappling with.
But was McRae truly responsible?
In the lead-up to the game, the popular hockey podcast Spittin’ Chiclets suggested that McRae might have been a “mole” planted by Team Canada to “get Hughes off his game.” Many found the theory credible, pointing out that McRae was born and raised in Calgary, where Team Canada’s offices are located. The alleged plot seemed to be coming to fruition as Hughes took a penalty with 3:23 minutes remaining in regulation time during the gold medal game. Is it possible Hughes took the penalty to win the heart of McRae, and help fulfill her obligation to Hockey Canada?
Many seem to think so, and even Hughes slipped up and revealed he wondered if taking the penalty was a wise thing to do. “I pictured myself on Barstool [Sports] being, like, the guy that America hates because Canada scores on the power play,” he said.
But once Hughes served the penalty, both he and McRae, allegedly, were under no further obligation to give Team Canada an edge.
Upon further review of the situation, many are now blaming the players on team Canada for the loss, and not McRae, citing their inability to perform. “She gave the Canadian boys a shot, and they blew it. I don’t blame her for going to America to find a man,” one hockey insider shared, also noting that no one at Hockey Canada would confirm if McRae has ever worked for the organization.
“Maybe time will tell,” the source said.
In the meantime, men all across Canada are keeping a close eye on Hughes and other members of Team USA, watching their every move and noting the techniques they’re using to attract women, in hopes of keeping Canadian women from seeking romance in the United States. “We have to find a way to appeal to them,” one disgruntled hockey player summed up. “We have to learn how to perform under pressure like the Americans. And we have to fix the power play.”
Lead image: Jack Hughes of the USA men’s hockey team celebrates after the Ice Hockey Men Final Gold Medal Game with Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News. Tate McRae attending the F1 The Movie European premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square, London. Picture date: Monday June 23, 2025 (photo: Ian West/PA images)
Article last updated on February 28, 2026.
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