Jack Hughes clarifies initial remarks on Olympic golden goal puck at Hockey Hall of Fame

New Jersey Devils centre Jack Hughes, who scored the United States' second goal in overtime to secure the men's ice hockey gold medal against Canada at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, has clarified his comments about the game puck now on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.[1][2]

Hughes, 24, a U.S. native and first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft playing for the Devils in the Eastern Conference, initially told ESPN he was disappointed to learn the puck—donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)—was at the Canadian museum. "I'm trying to get it. Like, that's bulls--- that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion," he said, adding he wanted it for his father, a avid hockey memorabilia collector.[1][3]

Philip Pritchard, vice president of the Hockey Hall of Fame's resource centre and curator, responded to ESPN that the puck "was never Jack’s puck to own."[1]

Speaking to reporters days later ahead of a Devils home game on February 25, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Hughes praised the Hall as "the most special place in hockey" and said he was "honored that it’s there."[1][4] He noted his initial reaction stemmed from not knowing the puck's location and that "things were taken ... crazy."

The U.S. men's team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on February 22, 2026, at the Milano Sant'Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, during the final of the Olympic tournament.[2][5] The victory contributed to a U.S. sweep of golds in men's, women's and Paralympic sled hockey, beating Canada in each final for the first time in the same Games. The women's golden goal puck, scored by Megan Keller in overtime, was also donated to the Hall of Fame.[1]

The 2026 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament ran from February 7 to 22, featuring 12 teams in a preliminary round followed by knockout stages.[5]