Jack Hughes gets brutal answer from Hockey Hall of Fame

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes did not hold back his frustration. After scoring the overtime golden goal that clinched the Milan Cortina Olympic gold for Team USA in February, Hughes discovered that he couldn’t have the puck to keep. It’s sitting instead in the Hockey Hall of Fame, part of the Olympic display alongside other historic moments, including Meghan Keller’s women’s gold-medal winner.

“I’m trying to get it. Like, that’s bullshit that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it,” Hughes told ESPN, clearly stunned that such a monumental piece of his career isn’t in his possession.

The Hall, however, didn’t waver. Stanley Cup keeper Phil Pritchard, whp is also curator and VP of the Hockey Hall of Fame, delivered a cold dose of reality:

“We try to take the emotion out of it. We’re here to preserve a game that Jack’s lucky enough to play or we’re lucky enough to work in. Unfortunately, in the easiest words, it was never Jack’s puck to own.”

For Hughes, this isn’t about personal glory… it’s about family. If he ever got the puck, it would go straight to his father, Jim, who has meticulously archived the hockey careers of Jack and his brothers, Quinn and Luke.

“I wouldn’t even want it for myself,” Hughes admitted. “I’d want it for my dad.”

Despite Hughes’ heartfelt plea, it seems the Hall’s decision is final. For now, the golden-goal puck remains behind glass in Toronto, a symbol of history owned by the institution, not the player who etched his name into Olympic lore.

A harsh reality check for one of hockey’s brightest young stars.