NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was booed by fans attending the NJ Devils hockey game at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
The game marked the NHL return of Team USA Olympic hero Jack Hughes since he scored the winning goal against Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Sherrill was on hand to welcome Hughes and other Olympians back to the state ice, but when she was announced by the PA announcer for the ceremonial puck drop, the Newark crowd erupted in unrelenting boos for her and her husband, Jason Hedberg.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during a pregame Olympic ceremony with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Devils owners David and Allison Blitzer on February 25, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Still, Sherrill went on to make a social media post that included photos of her, Hughes and other players celebrating the gold medal. Sherrill was mocked in response as many critics pointed out how loud she was booed.
“You somehow managed to get loudly booed during the most festive thing on the Rock ever,” wrote one X user.
Another user wrote: “Didn’t everyone boo you?”
Sherrill has been a target of criticism from patriotic Americans dating back to her 2025 campaign, when it was revealed that she was barred from attending her Naval Academy commencement because of disciplinary actions involving midshipmen who stole test answers in a particularly challenging electrical engineering course required of all non-engineering majors.
Sherill downplayed his involvement, saying, “I failed some of my classmates, so I didn’t go, but graduated and was commissioned an officer in the United States Navy, serving for almost ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill presents the state flag to Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils in a homecoming ceremony on February 25 in Newark, New Jersey, following Team USA’s gold medal win. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
This week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against New Jersey and Sherrill, accusing the state of expanding its sanctuary policies and obstructing federal immigration enforcement through a new executive order.
Still, Sherill’s presence didn’t stop anyone at the Prudential Center from celebrating Hughes and company Wednesday.
Prior to the puck against the Buffalo Sabres, the Devils honored all of their 2026 Olympians, including those representing foreign nations. No one got a warmer reception from the crowd than Hughes as fans chanted “USA!”
Hughes nearly broke down in tears as he addressed the audience.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
“I’m so proud and I’m so happy that the men’s and women’s U.S. hockey teams brought gold medals back to the United States,” Hughes told the crowd. “You guys make me emotional, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization. And I’m so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey — so proud.
“From the bottom of my heart, all my teammates, USA teammates, we just want to thank you for all the love and support. We feel it.”
Related article
