Tate McRae basically lives and breathes hockey. It’s in her blood. Growing up in Calgary, Alberta, you don’t really have a choice, do you? Her brother Tucker played high-level NCAA hockey, and Tate herself has become the unofficial face of the NHL’s crossover into pop culture. But lately, the internet has been spiraling. Everyone wants to know who the "Tate McRae hockey boyfriend" is right now, especially after that messy timeline with The Kid LAROI.
Honestly, the answer depends on which month of the 2024-2025 season you’re looking at.
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The Jack Hughes Rumors: Just Friends or the New NHL Power Couple?
If you've been on TikTok or Reddit recently, you’ve seen the photos. Tate McRae and Jack Hughes. Yeah, that Jack Hughes—the New Jersey Devils superstar and one of the most talented centers in the league.
The rumors went into overdrive in late 2025. In November, they were spotted having a very "not-just-friends" looking dinner at Anton’s in New York City’s West Village. Tate was rocking a red top; Jack was looking casual. Then, on December 21, 2025, Tate was caught on camera at the Prudential Center in Newark. It wasn't just any game. It was Jack’s big return to the ice after a hand injury that had sidelined him for weeks.
The very next day? They’re walking through NYC, smiling, laughing, and looking incredibly cozy in the December chill.
Here’s the thing, though. Tate is the queen of the "subtle shut down." Shortly after the dinner photos leaked, she posted a selfie with her song "NOBODY’S GIRL" playing in the background. Fans took that as a loud and clear message: I’m single, thanks. But you don’t just fly into New Jersey to watch a guy return from surgery because you like the arena popcorn. Whether they are officially "boyfriend and girlfriend" or just in that "flirty New York era," the chemistry is definitely there.
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The Cole Sillinger Era: The First Hockey Boyfriend
Long before the Jack Hughes sightings, there was Cole Sillinger. If you want to understand why people are so obsessed with Tate’s dating life, you have to go back to 2021.
Sillinger, who plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets, actually admitted in an interview that Tate was his celebrity crush. Talk about manifesting. They started dating shortly after and were pretty public about it for a while. They did the whole Instagram official thing, attended New York Fashion Week together in 2022, and seemed like the perfect "hockey girl meets hockey star" match.
But things went south. Fast.
By early 2023, the photos were gone. Deleted. Scrubbed from the grid. The internet went into a frenzy with rumors that Sillinger had been caught on Tinder by one of Tate’s friends. While Sillinger later tried to shut that down—commenting "All false my guy" on a post—the damage was done.
The ultimate "mic drop" moment? Tate ended up headlining the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, an event Sillinger wasn't even invited to play in. She literally made it to the All-Star game before her NHL ex did. That’s a level of "ex-boyfriend revenge" most people only dream of.
The Kid LAROI Detour
We can't talk about her hockey connections without mentioning the gap year. Between the hockey players, Tate had a very high-profile relationship with Australian artist The Kid LAROI.
They were first linked in January 2024. They were cute, they were everywhere, and they even held hands at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game (the hockey theme never truly leaves). However, Tate recently confirmed to Rolling Stone in a January 2026 cover story that they officially split in June 2025.
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She described the public interest in that relationship as "scary and overwhelming." It makes sense why she might be keeping things with Jack Hughes a bit more under wraps. Going from a world-famous rapper back to a world-class athlete is a pivot, but for a girl from Calgary, it’s basically just going back to her roots.
Why It Matters: The "Greedy" Aesthetic
Tate isn't just dating these guys for the sake of it. Her music is heavily influenced by the high-stakes, high-adrenaline world of professional sports. Just look at the music video for "greedy"—it’s set in a hockey arena. She’s leaning into the "puck bunny" aesthetic but flipping the script. She’s not the girl waiting in the stands; she’s the one owning the ice.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the Tate McRae hockey boyfriend saga, here is how to actually track the truth:
- Watch the "Away" Games: Celebs don't go to Newark, New Jersey, for the nightlife. If Tate is at the Prudential Center, she’s there for Jack.
- Check the Lyrics: Tate is a songwriter first. Her track "Tit for Tat" was a direct response to her breakup with LAROI. If a new song drops about "New York winters" or "Jersey lights," you know exactly who it's about.
- Ignore the "Just Friends" Tag: In the world of NHL stars and Pop Royalty, "just friends" is the standard PR answer until there's a ring or a breakup.
- Follow the NHL Calendar: Watch for the 2026 All-Star break. Tate is almost guaranteed to be involved in some capacity, and who she sits with (or performs for) will tell you everything you need to know.
Tate McRae is currently at the top of her game, and whether Jack Hughes is officially the "boyfriend" or just a close "friend" for now, she’s clearly living her best life on her own terms.