Jack Hughes is an American hero after the 2026 Winter Olympics, but the Team USA and NHL star is furious at the Hockey Hall of Fame for claiming his historic game-winning puck.
The New Jersey Devils standout helped guide Team USA to its first Olympic hockey gold medal since 1980. However, Hughes voiced his displeasure recently about not being able to hold onto the Milan Cortina piece of history.
MORE: Jack Hughes goes viral for bloody Olympic gold medal interview
A new ESPN interview with Hughes describes the American’s feelings about the Hockey Hall of Fame claiming the puck from the Olympic final against Canada.
Jack Hughes says he wants his gold-medal-winning overtime goal for Team USA in the Winter Games back from the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is displaying it in Toronto.
Full story from @wyshynski ➡️ https://t.co/YziOG7YN35 pic.twitter.com/XHtLD6xObF
— ESPN (@espn) March 17, 2026
“I’m trying to get [the puck],” Hughes told ESPN this week. “Like, that’s [expletive] that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have the puck?”
The NHL star certainly has an argument about the puck considering the importance of it to America. The irony of the situation is also that the Hockey Hall of Fame resides in Toronto, Canada.
However, many iconic pieces of sports memorabilia are often shipped off to museums and Hall of Fames in other sports, such as the MLB, NBA and NFL.
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It remains to be seen if Hughes will ever gain control of the historic gold medal-winning puck, but the hockey standout continues to win on and off the ice. His relationship with pop star Tate McRae has many NHL fans caught up in their budding romance.
Jack Hughes reacts after winning the men’s ice hockey gold medal game during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
The American men’s hockey team is hoping to positively rub off on Aaron Judge and Co. at the World Baseball Classic. Team USA baseball players are wearing hockey jerseys from the Olympics heading into their WBC final Tuesday against Venezuela.
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