American hockey sensation Jack Hughes is raising eyebrows with his recent comments about the Hockey Hall of Fame. The New Jersey Devils forward, who clinched the gold medal for Team USA at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, is less than thrilled that the puck he sent past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington in overtime ended up in Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame.
In an exclusive chat with ESPN, Hughes didn't hold back. “It’s frustrating that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it,” Hughes remarked. “Why would they have that puck?”
The Mystery of the Missing Puck
Initially, the puck's location was a mystery. Hughes had expressed his uncertainty during a TNT post-game show, admitting, “I have no idea where that puck went. I know who doesn’t have it is me.”
The mystery was solved when Sportico reported that the puck had indeed been sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame, with confirmation from the International Ice Hockey Federation. This puck, valued at over $1 million, isn't alone on Yonge Street. The Hall also holds the pucks from all three goals in the men's gold-medal game and the puck from Team USA’s Megan Keller's overtime winner against Canada in the women’s final.
New Exhibit Unveiled
This week, the Hall of Fame opened its Olympic ’26 Exhibit, showcasing game-worn jerseys, gloves, and sticks, with contributions from stars like Sidney Crosby and Hilary Knight. Team USA forward Alex Carpenter personally delivered the women’s golden goal puck to its new display.
A Special Place in the Hughes Family
Despite the commotion, Hughes isn't looking to keep the puck for himself. Instead, he wants it for his father, an avid collector of memorabilia from Hughes and his NHL brothers, Quinn and Luke.
“My dad would love to have it,” Hughes shared. “I don’t collect much for myself, but my dad’s a huge collector for us.
He’d have a special place for it.”
Hughes' candid comments highlight the personal significance of these sports artifacts, blending the passion of family with the legacy of Olympic triumphs.