Jack Hughes questions Hockey Hall of Fame possession of puck from U.S. men's Olympic hockey gold-medal goal

Jack Hughes, the 24-year-old American center and captain of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, scored the game-winning goal in overtime to secure the United States' first men's Olympic ice hockey gold medal since the 1980 Lake Placid Games.^[1]^[2] The victory came against Canada in the gold medal match on February 22, 2026, at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.^[3]^[4]

Hughes expressed frustration that the puck from the goal is held by the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, calling it "bulls---." "I'm trying to get it. … Why would they have that puck?" he told ESPN.

Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame, responded to ESPN that "it was never Jack's puck to own" and that it had been donated through the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Hall of Fame staff were present in Milan to assist with the donation process, which followed established procedures for Olympic artifacts.

In Olympic tournaments, an on-ice official typically collects pucks from significant moments for identification and delivery to the IIHF, which then donates them to the Hall of Fame. The Hall stated that such items are preserved and exhibited for fans worldwide. The puck from U.S. women's team member Megan Keller's golden goal three days earlier 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.