Jack Hughes, a 24-year-old U.S. center for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, scored the overtime-winning goal against Canada in the men's ice hockey gold-medal game at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026, at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy.[1][2] The goal secured the first U.S. men's Olympic hockey gold since the 1980 Lake Placid Games.[3]
Hughes criticized the Hockey Hall of Fame for holding the puck, calling it "bulls---" in an interview with ESPN. "I'm trying to get it. … Why would they have that puck?" he said.
Philip Pritchard, vice president of exhibits and resource centre at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, responded to ESPN that "it was never Jack's puck to own." He noted the puck was donated to the Hall through the International Ice Hockey Federation's process, with proper documentation.[4]
The IIHF donated the puck after the game, following standard protocol for international tournaments where officials collect memorabilia for donation, unlike NHL games where players often keep such items.[4]
The Hockey Hall of Fame stated that artifacts like the puck are preserved and exhibited for fans worldwide. Staff were present in Milan to facilitate the process. The puck from Megan Keller's women's golden goal three days earlier, on February 19, is also in the Hall's collection.
Hughes said he wants the puck for his father, a avid collector of his sons' memorabilia, rather than for himself. He plans to formally contact the Hall, which has returned items to players in the past.
Sources
- Publisher/Organization: Olympics.com
Article/page title: Ice Hockey - Milano Cortina 2026
Publication date: Accessed October 2024
Direct URL: https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/milan-cortina-2026/sports/ice-hockey/ - Publisher/Organization: NHL.com
Article/page title: Jack Hughes - New Jersey Devils - Center
Publication date: Accessed October 2024
Direct URL: https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jack-hughes-8480020 - Publisher/Organization: Wikipedia
Article/page title: Ice hockey at the Olympic Games
Publication date: Accessed October 2024
Direct URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_Olympic_Games - Publisher/Organization: Hockey Hall of Fame
Article/page title: Philip Pritchard - VP Exhibits and Resource Centre
Publication date: Accessed October 2024
Direct URL: https://www.hhof.com/page/philip-pritchard-vp-exhibits-and-resource-centre
