The Hockey Hall of Fame is standing firm in its decision not to hand over the puck from Jack Hughes’ gold-medal-winning goal at the Milan Cortina Olympics to the American star.
“Unfortunately, to set it simply, that puck never belonged to Jack,” Philip Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s vice president of the resource center and curator, told ESPN on Wednesday. “It’s been donated to us now. For every artifact that’s been donated, we have a paper trail and signed paperwork of where it’s come from.”
Hughes secured the victory for Team USA in the final against Canada with a dramatic goal in overtime, giving the Americans their first Olympic gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. The win capped off a dominant performance for the U.S. In men’s, women’s, and Paralympic sled hockey.
The puck from Hughes’ goal isn’t the only Olympic souvenir enshrined in the Hall of Fame; the puck from Megan Keller’s overtime goal in the women’s final against Canada is also part of the collection.
Hughes publicly expressed his desire to receive the puck on Tuesday, hoping to gift it to his father, Jim.
“I’m trying to get it. Like, that’s bulls— that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?” Hughes said in an interview with ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. “I don’t see why Megan Keller or I shouldn’t have those pucks.”
The Hockey Hall of Fame released a statement emphasizing its commitment to preserving hockey history. “We hold tremendous respect for the men and women who create these unforgettable moments on the ice, and we remain committed to preserving their achievements in a manner that is responsible, secure and accessible to fans everywhere.”
The United States swept the men’s, women’s, and Paralympic sled hockey competitions at the Milan Cortina Olympics, defeating Canada in each gold medal game – a first for any nation in a single year.
“These donated items represent defining moments on the world’s biggest stage and carry powerful stories of national pride and hockey history at its highest level,” Hall of Fame President and CEO Jamie Dinsmore said in a statement Monday. “The Olympics ’26 display will help ensure that these unforgettable Olympic moments are preserved for our guests from around the world to experience.”
Other items on display include a stick from American Brady Tkachuk, gloves from teammate Jack Eichel, and jerseys from Canada captain Sidney Crosby and Sweden forward William Nylander, among over 70 total artifacts.
The Hall of Fame noted that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has been providing official pucks and commemorative artifacts from every Olympic tournament to the Hall since the 1998 Nagano Games, including the puck from Sidney Crosby’s golden goal in 2010 and Natalie Darwitz’s game-winner at the 2008 World Championship.
“Our mission is to collect, preserve, research, exhibit and promote artifacts, images and stories key to the global legacy of hockey.”
