Pop singer Tate McRae is reportedly “exclusively” dating Team USA hockey player Jack Hughes, according to a source cited by Us Weekly.

The 22-year-old “Sports Car” singer and the 24-year-old New Jersey Devils centre were first seen together in New York City in December. An insider said the pair have been spending time together since late last year and their relationship is still in its early stages.

“They started casually seeing each other late last year, so it’s still new,” the source said. The insider added that the relationship is progressing positively and that McRae feels it is “going well so far.”

According to the source, Hughes initiated contact by messaging the Grammy nominee on Instagram. The singer reportedly considers the Olympic gold medallist “really cool” and “really sweet”.

The pair have been enjoying their time together, with the source saying they “have been having a lot of fun together”. McRae has also been attending Hughes’ games and supporting him from the stands.

The insider said the couple are hoping to spend more time together once the hockey season moves into the postseason schedule.

Hughes recently drew international attention after scoring the winning goal for Team USA against Canada to secure a gold medal. His goal came nearly two minutes into overtime and marked the United States’ first Olympic gold in men’s ice hockey in 46 years. The team last achieved the feat in 1980.

Images of Hughes celebrating with a bloodied smile and a broken front tooth circulated widely after the match.

Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon earlier this week, Hughes joked about the injury but indicated it would not become a long-term feature. “I don’t want to spend time in the dentist chair, obviously,” he said, adding that the damaged teeth “won’t be my thing.”

Hughes appeared on the programme alongside his brother and Olympic teammate Quinn Hughes and women’s team captain Hilary Knight.