Revisiting Jack Hughes' and Alysa Liu's 2019 letters after Olympic gold - ESPN
ESPN
by ESPN StaffFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In 2019, Jack Hughes and Alysa Liu, then rising athletes, wrote letters to their future selves as part of a project imagining their upcoming careers. Seven years later, those letters took on new significance when both achieved their ultimate goal: winning Olympic gold at the 2026 Winter Games. Their prophetic words, filled with ambition and hope, now serve as a testament to their perseverance and vision.
Jack Hughes, who became an NHL star, reflected on his journey from a prodigious draft prospect to Team USA's men's hockey hero. He described breaking records with teammate Cole Caufield and imagined skating alongside legends like Patrick Kane and Auston Matthews. Hughes' letter revealed his deep desire to win the Stanley Cup, a goal he likely achieved in his career. Meanwhile, Alysa Liu, a figure skating prodigy, chronicled her quest to master difficult jumps, including the triple axel and quad salchow. Her words captured the relentless pursuit of perfection that led her to Olympic glory.
These letters highlight the importance of setting ambitious goals and believing in one's potential. Hughes and Liu's stories show how early aspirations can drive extraordinary achievements. Their reflections also emphasize gratitude—Hughes acknowledged his family, coaches, and teammates, while Liu celebrated her skating journey and the challenges she overcame.
For sports enthusiasts, this story offers inspiration. It reminds us that success is built on years of dedication, hard work, and a vision for the future. Hughes and Liu's letters are not
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026