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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was booed by fans attending the New Jersey Devils hockey game at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
The game marked the return to the NHL of Team USA Olympic hero Jack Hughes since he scored the game-winning goal against Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Sherrill was there to welcome Hughes and other Olympic players back to the ice in the United States, but when she was announced by the PA spokesperson for the puck drop ceremony, the Newark crowd erupted in incessant boos for her and her husband, Jason Hedberg.
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Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during a pre-game Olympic ceremony with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Devils owners David and Allison Blitzer on February 25, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Sherrill did, however, post a social media post with photos of her, Hughes and other players celebrating the gold medal. Sherrill was mocked in response, as many critics pointed out how much she was booed.
“You managed to get booed loudly during the most festive event ever at the Rock,” wrote one X user.
Another user wrote: “Didn’t everyone boo you?
Sherrill has been the target of criticism from American patriots since her 2025 campaign, when it was revealed that she was barred from entering the Naval Academy because of disciplinary actions involving midshipmen stealing test answers in a particularly difficult electrical engineering course required for all non-engineering majors.
Sherill downplayed her involvement, saying, “I didn’t report some of my classmates, so I didn’t march, but I graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy, serving for almost ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor.” »
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill presents the state flag to Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during a pre-game welcome ceremony February 25 in Newark, New Jersey, following Team USA’s gold medal win. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Just this week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against New Jersey and Sherrill, accusing the state of expanding its sanctuary policies and obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws through a new executive order.
Still, Sherill’s presence didn’t stop anyone at the Prudential Center from celebrating Hughes and company on Wednesday.
Before puck drop against the Buffalo Sabres, the Devils honored all of their 2026 Olympians, including those representing foreign nations. No one received a warmer welcome from the crowd than Hughes, as fans chanted “USA!”
Hughes nearly burst into tears while addressing the crowd.
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“I am so proud and so happy that the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams brought gold medals back to the United States of America,” Hughes told the crowd. “You make me emotional, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization. And I’m so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey – so proud.
“From the bottom of our hearts, all of my teammates, USA teammates, we just want to thank you for all of your love and support. We feel it.”
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