Rumours of a new high-profile romance are sweeping the internet, suggesting a connection between Canadian singing sensation Tate McRae and American hockey phenom Jack Hughes. The speculation ignited after a photo, reportedly showing the pair sharing a dinner in New York City, began circulating online.
The Viral Photo That Started It All
According to the popular celebrity gossip Instagram account DeuxMoi, McRae and Hughes were spotted enjoying a meal together at Anton's in New York's West Village on the night of Thursday, November 20, 2025. The account posted a photo that has since gone viral, though the image has not been officially verified by representatives for either star.
The photo depicts a man believed to be Hughes wearing a white T-shirt and a black tuque. Seated directly across from him is a woman said to be McRae, seen in a red shirt and black pants, though her face is not visible. A source told DeuxMoi that 'the entire restaurant was staring' at the duo and that Hughes 'seemed nervous ... was looking around a lot when they first sat down.'
Connecting the Dots: Hockey and History
The potential relationship is particularly intriguing given McRae's established connections to the hockey world. The 22-year-old Calgary native previously dated Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger from 2021 until their split in 2023.
Her ties to the sport run even deeper within her own family. Her brother, Tucker McRae, played junior hockey with the Okotoks Oilers and now plays for Dartmouth College. McRae's sophomore album, Think Later, even features a cover photo of her wearing goalie pads.
Furthermore, the paths of McRae and Hughes have crossed professionally. She performed at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, an event where Hughes, though injured, served as a co-captain for Team Hughes alongside his brother, Vancouver Canucks star Quinn Hughes.
Current Context for the Stars
For Hughes, the dinner outing comes as he recovers from an unfortunate injury. The 24-year-old New Jersey Devils centre, who was the first overall NHL draft pick in 2019, suffered a hand injury in what the team described as a 'fluke accident' at a team dinner in Chicago on November 13. He underwent a successful procedure on his finger and is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks, with a potential return to game action in January.
Before the injury, Hughes was having a spectacular season, racking up 10 goals and 20 points in just 17 games for the Devils.
On McRae's side, this new rumour emerges shortly after the end of her previous relationship. She split with Australian rapper The Kid LARoi this summer after dating since January 2024.
As of now, neither Tate McRae nor Jack Hughes has publicly commented on the dating speculation, leaving fans to watch for any further clues about this potential cross-border romance between a Canadian pop star and an American hockey superstar.
