NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
New Jersey Devils star and Olympic gold medalist Jack Hughes clarified his comments about the status of the gold medal-winning puck after his initial remarks sparked a frenzy involving the Toronto-based Hockey Hall of Fame.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Hughes expressed his disappointment upon learning that the Olympic puck was now on display at the Canadian-based museum.
Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils skates during warmups before the NHL regular season game at the Prudential Center on February 25, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images)
“I’m trying to get it. Like, it’s bulls— that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?” he told the socket.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
“I didn’t even want it for myself,” he explained. “I want it for my dad. I know he would just love, love to have it. Looking back on my career, I don’t collect too many things for myself, but my dad is a monster collector for the three of us. I know he would have a special place for it.”
The irony of the puck residing in Canada was not lost on fans as Team USA defeated Team Canada for the top spot on the podium.
Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates with his national flag after scoring their second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)
HOCKEY HALL OF FAME GIVES JACK HUGHES HARD NEWS ON OLYMPIC GOLDEN GOAL PUCK REQUEST
After Hughes’ candid reaction to being told the puck had been donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation, Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame, told ESPN that the puck “was never Jack’s puck to own.
Days after the back and forth, Hughes clarified his remarks, telling reporters that the Hall of Fame is “the most special place in hockey.”
“Obviously honored that the pucks are there. It’s like the most special place in hockey, so I’m honored that it’s there,” he admitted. “Obviously, I think things were taken—you know, crazy.
Jack Hughes during the men’s ice hockey match between the USA and Slovakia on day fourteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
“It was just how I felt and I didn’t know where the puck was. So it is what it is.”
The United States won men’s, women’s and Paralympic sled hockey gold, beating Canada in each final to win all three for the first time in the same year. Megan Keller scored the women’s golden goal, also in OT, and that puck was similarly donated to the Hall of Fame.
