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If Jack Hughes wants to see the puck from the greatest goal of his life, he will have to travel to Toronto to see it.
The New Jersey Devils star turned USA Hockey Olympic hero called out the Hockey Hall of Fame saying it was “bulls—” that they had the puck find the back of the net off Hughes’ stick to give the U.S. its first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.
“I’m trying to get it… Why would they have that puck?” Hughes told ESPN.
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Jack Hughes of Team United celebrates scoring the winning goal in overtime during the men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Well, they have because it was donated after the game by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
“Unfortunately, in the simplest terms, it was never Jack’s puck to own,” Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame, told ESPN in response to Hughes. “It’s been donated to us now. For every artifact that’s been donated, we have a paper trail and signed papers about where it came from.”
NHL players are often allowed to keep pucks and gear for themselves when milestone moments occur in NHL games, but in most international tournaments, including the Olympics, an on-ice official is responsible for collecting what becomes memorabilia and giving it to an off-ice official for identification, who will then deliver it to the IIHF for donation.
Team USA’s men’s hockey gold medalists have irked liberal pundits and news organizations despite captivating the nation with their Olympic performance. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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“Items are formally transferred to the Hall through the IIHF’s established artifact donation process and added to our permanent collection. These artifacts are preserved, exhibited and shared with fans around the world through our museum and international outreach programs, ensuring that the defining Olympic and World Championship moments are preserved and remain accessible to the global hockey community,” the Hall said in a statement from the hockey community.
The Hall of Fame had staff available in Milan to assist with the donation process. Megan Keller’s golden goal, scored three days before Hughes’, is also in the Hall of Fame.
“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,” Hughes said of the puck. 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.”
Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates with his national flag after scoring his second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)
Hughes said he would formally reach out to the Hall, which has returned items to players in the past.
