New Jersey fans weren’t expecting to wake up to a swirl of whispers involving one of their team’s biggest names. Yet that’s exactly what happened after Tate McRae stepped out in Manhattan. with hockey star Jack Hughes. The sighting alone was enough to make hockey Twitter lose its mind. But there was something about the timing. The location and the very vibe of it all made the whole situation feel a bit too coincidental.
Rumors erupted the second the photo popped up showing Tate McRae sitting across from injured New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes at a West Village restaurant. He sported a white tee and a beanie. While she wore a red top and jeans. Then suddenly, fans were analyzing everything. From the angle of the table, the distance between plates, and even their facial expressions.
The fact that Jack Hughes is currently sidelined after surgery only made people more curious. Despite never clarifying anything, the rumor mill exploded. The tea hit with such force that Tate posted a selfie soundtracked with her song “NOBODY’S GIRL.”
Jack Hughes Becomes a Magnet for Chaos
This is a move fans immediately interpreted as a subtle “don’t get carried away.” Sure. It could have been a promotion. But the timing? A little too perfect. Part of the reason these rumors take off so quickly is that Tate isn’t exactly a stranger to the hockey world, according to The Mirror.
She grew up in a family where the sport was practically oxygen. Not to mention her brother, Tucker McRae even plays at the collegiate level. She’s dated NHL players before, too, including Columbus Blue Jackets star Cole Sillinger. Who also just so happens to be in the same league as Jack. Between her family’s background and her dating history, it’s no shock that fans immediately connected the dots. Even if she never meant to draw them.
Tate McRae’s Hockey Roots Run Deep
It is no secret that the New Jersey Blue Devil, Jack Hughes, is a favorite among female hockey fans. They tend who tend to swoon over everything from his skill to his soft-spoken, boyish charm. Meanwhile, plenty of male fans cannot resist roasting him.
Teasing his outfits, calling his style “teenage boy chic,” and acting like it’s illegal for him to own a beanie. So when he’s spotted out with any woman, the reaction is instant. Half adoration, half jealousy, and lots of noise.
“T-shirt and hat on? Classy dude.” one male commenter snarks.
“A real man wouldn’t be disputing what another man wears, just live your own life” one fan pipes back.
“I love him !! She better not break his heart,” adds another.
Image Source: Tate McRae/Instagram-Delta Highlights/YouTube
To make things even messier, Tate McRae and her ex, Cole Sillinger, once told a cute story about how she was his celebrity crush before they dated. But things fell apart, rumors flew, denial followed, and eventually everyone moved on. That breakup resurfacing. Especially, just as Tate’s seen with another NHL player.
Neither Tate nor Jack has commented. And with Hughes still recovering and the New Jersey Devils navigating their season without him on the ice, neither seems eager to encourage the frenzy. Meanwhile, her Instagram post did little to calm the chaos. If anything, it may have raised more eyebrows.
So for now, New Jersey fans are left with one dinner sighting. One cryptic Instagram post, and a whole lot of suspicious timing. Whether Tate and Jack are just friends or something more, time will tell. Until then, stay tuned.
Kendra Quinn 
Emma Taylor 
Sofia Bassett 
