HERO’S WELCOME IN NEW JERSEY! When Jack Hughes stepped back onto the ice in front of a roaring New Jersey Devils crowd, the emotion was impossible to hide

It was no secret who the fans at Prudential Center were waiting to welcome home Wednesday night.

The crowd was holding its breath for one particular player to show up on the ice and they didn’t hold back once Jack Hughes appeared in his home arena following his historic game-winner in Milan.

Hughes was welcomed with a “USA” chant that thundered through the arena. Fans — some clad in USA jerseys and holding homemade USA signs and American flags — gave a standing ovation before the puck drop for the Devils’ first game since the Olympic break.

The jumbotron replayed the thrilling gold-medal winning overtime goal over Canada to give Team USA their first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” Hughes received huge cheers as he did a lap around the ice, grabbing Team USA teammate and the Sabres’ Tage Thompson, and took the mic before giving a brief speech.

“I’m so proud and I’m so happy that the men’s and women’s USA hockey teams brought the gold medals back,” Hughes said. “I’m pretty emotional, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils and I’m so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey. From the bottom of my heart, all of my teammates, my Team USA teammates, I just want to thank you guys.”