Jack Hughes 'Honored' Olympic Golden Goal Puck Is at Hockey Hall of Fame Despite 'Bulls—t' Comment

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes changed his tune Wednesday regarding his feelings about the Hockey Hall of Fame being in possession of the puck with which he scored the gold-medal-winning goal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Speaking to Peter Baugh of The Athletic after recording three points in a 6-3 win over the New York Rangers, Hughes said, "It's like the most special place in hockey. I'm honored that it's there, but obviously I think things were taken crazy. That's the way I felt. I didn't know where the puck was. It is what it is."

That comment came just one day after Hughes took issue with the Hockey Hall of Fame having the puck, telling ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, "I'm trying to get it. Like, that's bulls--t that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?"

The Hockey Hall of Fame also had the golden goal puck scored by United States women's Olympic hockey team star Megan Keller against Canada in Milano Cortina, and Hughes expressed his belief that they both should be given the pucks.

Hughes noted that he primarily wanted the puck for his dad, who collects memorabilia from the careers of Jack and his brothers, Quinn and Luke Hughes.

On Wednesday, the Hockey Hall of Fame made an official statement on the matter with HHOF curator and resource center vice president Philip Pritchard telling Wyshynski, "Unfortunately, in the easiest words, it was never Jack's puck to own. 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."

While players typically get to keep the puck for an important goal in the NHL, things are done differently in international competition, as the IIHF collects and authenticates items of significance.

There have been few more significant goals in Olympic hockey history than Hughes' OT marker to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada.

That clinched Team USA's third-ever Olympic gold medal in men's hockey, and their first since the Miracle on Ice team in 1980.

While Hughes had initially said he planned to contact the Hockey Hall of Fame to ask about the puck, he walked back that comment Wednesday night, telling Baugh, "I've been playing hockey. That's where my head's at."