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If Jack Hughes wants to see the puck for the biggest goal of his life, he’ll have to go to Toronto to see it.
The New Jersey Devils star-turned-Olympic hero of American hockey called out the Hockey Hall of Fame, saying it was “bullshit” that they had the puck that found the back of the net on Hughes’ stick to give the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.
“I’m trying to get it… Why would they have that puck?” Hughes told ESPN.
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Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrates the winning goal in overtime during the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Well, they have it because it was donated after the game by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
“Unfortunately, to put it most simply, Jack never got to possess the puck,” Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame, told ESPN in response to Hughes. “It’s been given to us now. For every artifact donated, we have a written record and signed documents showing where it came from.”
NHL players are often allowed to keep their pucks and equipment to themselves when notable moments occur during NHL games, but in most international tournaments, including the Olympics, an on-ice official is responsible for collecting what becomes a souvenir and giving it to an off-ice official for identification, who will then give it to the IIHF for donation.
The gold medalists of the U.S. men’s hockey team angered liberal pundits and news organizations even though they captivated the nation with their Olympic feat. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
JACK HUGHES REFLECTS ON NEW FAME SINCE THE OLYMPICS, INCLUDING SUPPORT FROM RIVAL FANS
“The items are officially transferred to the Hall through the artifact donation process established by the IIHF and added to our permanent collection. These artifacts are preserved, exhibited and shared with fans around the world through our museum and international outreach programs, ensuring that the defining moments of the Olympic Games and World Championships are preserved and remain accessible to the global hockey community,” the Hall of Fame said in a statement.
The Hall of Fame had staff on site in Milan to assist with the donation process. Megan Keller’s golden goal, scored three days before Hughes’, is also in the Hall of Fame.
“I wouldn’t even want it for myself,” he explained. “I would want it for my dad. I know he would love to have it,” Hughes said of the puck. When I look back on my career, I don’t collect a lot of things for myself, but my dad is a monster collector for all three of us. I know he would have a special place for it.”
Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates with his national flag after scoring his second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (Reuters/Alessandro Garofalo)
Hughes said he would formally contact the Hall, which has gifted items to players in the past.
