Rhiannon Ingle
Jack Hughes, the star player of the United States men's hockey team, has called out the 'bulls***' turn of events following his Olympic win during the Milan- Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics last month (22 February).
The 24-year-old scored the winning goal during his team's match against Canada, but he isn't in possession of the puck from the game as it is currently on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The Hockey Hall of Fame also has on display the puck scored by Team USA women’s hockey star Megan Keller, who also defeated Canada for gold at the Games.
Speaking to ESPN earlier this week on Tuesday (17 March), the athlete hit out: "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?"
Advert
Hughes continued: "I don’t see why Megan Keller or I shouldn’t have those pucks."
He then explained that he's not keen on having the puck himself, but wanted to gift it to his father.
"I wouldn’t even want it for myself. I’d want it for my dad. I know he’d just love, love having it," Hughes added.
"When I look back in time in my career, I don’t collect too many things for myself, but my dad’s a monster collector," he went on. “I know he would have a special place for it."
The newly unveiled Olympics '26 display also includes a stick from Hughes' teammate Brady Tkachuk, along with a Team USA jersey worn by Hilary Knight.
"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,” Hockey Hall of Fame CEO Jamie Dinsmore said of the exhibit.
"The Olympics ’26 display will help ensure that these unforgettable Olympic moments are preserved for our guests from around the world to experience."
The US men's hockey team found themselves at the centre of controversy following their win last month.
Their 2-1 victory was overshadowed by a now-viral clip of what happened during the men's locker room winning celebration.
On speakerphone, US President Donald Trump could be heard offering to fly the team to Washington for the State of the Union address.
"We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I could send a military plane or something, if you would like to. It’s the coolest night. It’s the biggest speech," he said while the team cheered 'we’re in'.
"And we have to - I must tell you - we’re going to have to bring the women’s team," Trump continued, as several team members laughed on, before Trump concluded: "[If I don’t] do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?"
Trump's comments, along with the team's silence or laughing reaction, soon sparked major backlash online - especially given the fact that the women's team have secured the most gold medals for the United States for three Olympic seasons in a row, and, since 1998, they have never missed the podium.
The men's victory, however, was their first gold medal in over four decades, since 1980.
A number of players from the men's team have since come forward to apologise for the situation.
When asked about one of his teammates' apologies, Hughes previously said it 'is what it is' and shared that they have 'so much respect for the women’s team'.
A spokesperson for the Hockey Hall of Fame told Tyla in a statement: "The Hockey Hall of Fame maintains a longstanding and collaborative relationship with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), grounded in a shared commitment to preserving and celebrating the global history of the game. Since the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, the IIHF has provided the Hockey Hall of Fame with official pucks and other historic artefacts commemorating key moments from each Olympic hockey tournament, including Sidney Crosby’s iconic 2010 'Golden Goal,' as well as Natalie Darwitz’s (HHOF 2024) Gold Medal-winning goal puck from the 2008 World Championships.
"Items are formally transferred to the Hall through IIHF’s established artefact donation process and added to our permanent collection. These artefacts are preserved, exhibited and shared with fans worldwide through our museum and international outreach programs, ensuring that defining Olympic and World Championship moments remain protected and accessible to the global hockey community.
"Established to honour and preserve the history of hockey, the Hockey Hall of Fame recognises those who have made outstanding contributions to the game. Our mission is to collect, preserve, research, exhibit, and promote artefacts, images, and stories that are significant to hockey’s worldwide legacy. 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."