Jack Hughes clarifies initial remarks on Olympic golden goal puck at Hockey Hall of Fame
Authored by prc-ayxsports.net, 20-03-2026
Jack Hughes, captain and center for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, helped the United States win gold in men's ice hockey at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics held in Italy.[1][2] The tournament final took place on February 22, 2026, at the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.[3]
Hughes made initial comments about the puck from the U.S. team's gold medal-winning goal after learning it had been donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada. In an ESPN interview, he expressed disappointment, saying, "I'm trying to get it. Like, that's bulls--- that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?"[4] He added that he would want the puck for his father, a collector of memorabilia for his three sons, rather than for himself.
Hockey Hall of Fame vice president and curator Philip Pritchard responded to ESPN that the puck "was never Jack’s puck to own."[4][5]
Hughes later clarified his remarks to reporters, stating the Hockey Hall of Fame is "the most special place in hockey" and that he was "honored that it’s there." He noted his initial comments were made without knowing the puck's location and that they had been taken out of context.[4]
The U.S. victory over Canada in the men's final added to a sweep of golds in men's, women's and Paralympic sled hockey that year, with the women's team also winning in overtime on a goal by Megan Keller.
Sources
- NHL.com
Player profile: Jack Hughes
Accessed October 2024
https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jack-hughes-8480027 - Wikipedia
Jack Hughes (ice hockey)
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hughes_(ice_hockey) - Olympics.com
Ice hockey at Milano Cortina 2026
Accessed October 2024
https://olympics.com/en/olympics/milano-cortina-2026/olympic-sports/ice-hockey/ - Fox News Digital
Hockey Hall of Fame gives Jack Hughes tough news on Olympic golden goal puck request (reporting ESPN interview)
2026 (post-Olympics)
https://www.foxnews.com/sports - Hockey Hall of Fame
About the Hockey Hall of Fame - Philip Pritchard
Accessed October 2024
https://www.hhof.com/page/pritchard-philip