Tate McRae and Jack Hughes Confirm Romantic Relationship
Canadian pop sensation Tate McRae and American hockey star Jack Hughes have officially confirmed their romantic relationship, according to exclusive reports from Us Weekly. The couple, who have been casually dating since late last year, made their connection official after Hughes initiated contact through Instagram direct messages.
Instagram DM Sparked Romance
A source close to the couple revealed to Us Weekly that the relationship began when Hughes, the New Jersey Devils center and Olympic gold medalist, slid into McRae's Instagram DMs, sparking a conversation that quickly blossomed into romance. "She thinks he is a really cool guy and they have been having a lot of fun together," the insider shared. "She has been so supportive of his career and has been loving going to the games and cheering him on."
Relationship Timeline and Public Appearances
The 22-year-old McRae and 24-year-old Hughes were first linked in December when they were spotted together in New York City. The sighting occurred after McRae attended one of Hughes' hockey games, suggesting their relationship had already begun developing at that point. Despite their demanding careers, the couple has managed to maintain their connection throughout the busy NHL season and McRae's music commitments.
Both artists lead incredibly busy professional lives:
- Hughes recently won gold with Team USA at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics
- McRae completed her Miss Possessive Tour in November 2025
- Hughes' regular season with the Devils concludes in mid-April
- New Jersey currently sits second to last in the NHL's Eastern Conference
Future Plans and Relationship Dynamics
The source indicated that McRae and Hughes hope to spend more quality time together once the NHL season concludes in April. "Tate thinks he's really sweet and it's going well so far," the insider revealed. Given the Devils' current standing in the conference, Hughes is unlikely to participate in playoffs this season, potentially freeing up more time for the couple to deepen their relationship.
Previous Relationships and Public Scrutiny
This isn't McRae's first high-profile relationship with a hockey player. The Calgary-born singer previously dated Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger. She also had a well-documented relationship with Australian singer The Kid LAROI that lasted over a year before ending in 2025. The pair were first spotted together holding hands at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, as reported by TMZ.
Both McRae and Hughes have faced public scrutiny in recent months for different reasons. McRae received criticism from some Canadians for appearing in a Team USA Winter Olympics advertisement, while Hughes faced backlash for visiting former President Donald Trump. Despite these controversies, their relationship appears to be progressing positively according to sources close to the couple.
The confirmation of their relationship comes as both artists continue to build their careers - McRae with her successful music career including hits like "Run for the Hills" and "What Would You Do?", and Hughes establishing himself as a prominent figure in professional hockey following his Olympic success and NHL career with the New Jersey Devils.
