Jack Hughes questions Hockey Hall of Fame over puck from Olympic golden goal

Jack Hughes, center for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, scored the overtime winning goal for the United States men's ice hockey team in the gold medal game against Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026, at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy.^[1][2] The victory marked the U.S.'s first Olympic men's hockey gold medal since 1980.^[3]

Hughes expressed frustration that the puck from his goal is held by the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. "I'm trying to get it … Why would they have that puck?" he told ESPN.^[1] He described the situation as "bulls---" and said he would formally contact the Hall, noting it has returned items to players in the past.^[1][4]

Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame, responded that "it was never Jack's puck to own" as it was donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) after the game.^[1] The Hall confirmed staff were present in Milan to facilitate the donation process.^[4]

In international tournaments like the Olympics, on-ice officials collect pucks and gear for memorabilia, which are then transferred to the IIHF for donation, unlike in NHL games where players often keep such items.^[1][4] The Hall stated that artifacts follow an established donation process with paperwork and are preserved for public exhibition.^[4]

Hughes said he wants the puck for his father, a avid collector of his sons' memorabilia, rather than for himself.^[1] The Hall also received the puck from Megan Keller's golden goal in the women's gold medal game three days earlier on February 19, 2026.^[4]