Jack Hughes questions Hockey Hall of Fame possession of puck from U.S. Olympic men's hockey golden goal
Jack Hughes, center for the NHL's New Jersey Devils[1], scored the overtime game-winning goal for the United States in the men's ice hockey gold-medal final against Canada at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026. The win secured the first U.S. gold medal in men's Olympic hockey since the 1980 Lake Placid Games[2].
The match was played at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy[3].
Hughes told ESPN the Hockey Hall of Fame's possession of the puck was "bulls---" and questioned why the Hall in Toronto has it. He said he is trying to obtain it, mainly for his father, an avid collector of memorabilia from his three sons' careers.
Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame, told ESPN the puck was donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation after the game. "Unfortunately, in the easiest words, it was never Jack's puck to own," Pritchard said. He noted the Hall has paperwork documenting the donation.
In international tournaments including the Olympics, an on-ice official typically collects pucks and gear for memorabilia, which are then transferred to the IIHF for donation. NHL players often keep such items from league games.
The Hockey Hall of Fame stated that artifacts are added to its permanent collection through the IIHF process and shared worldwide via its museum. Hall staff assisted with the donation in Milan. The puck from Megan Keller's golden goal in the women's final three days earlier is also held by the Hall.
Hughes said he plans to formally contact the Hall, which has returned items to players in the past.
Sources
- NHL.com
Jack Hughes - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
Accessed October 2024
https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jack-hughes-8480020 - Wikipedia
Ice hockey at the Olympic Games
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_Olympic_Games - Olympics.com
Milano Cortina 2026 venues
Accessed October 2024
https://olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/venues/
