Jack Hughes delivered one of the defining moments in modern American hockey when he helped Team USA reach the top of the Olympic podium.
What should have remained a celebration of a landmark achievement, however, soon turned into a discussion about who should control one of the game’s most important souvenirs, the golden goal puck.
As opinions surfaced from all sides, the debate continued well beyond the final buzzer. This conversation resurfaced this week after Wayne Gretzky shared the message he sent directly to Hughes during the controversy.
How Wayne Gretzky Backed Jack Hughes in His Olympics Puck Dispute
Hughes became a national hero in February when he scored the overtime winner against Canada in the Olympic gold medal game, ending a 46-year wait for a men’s hockey gold medal for the United States.
The goal instantly became one of the most memorable moments in American hockey history, but the spotlight later shifted from the ice to the whereabouts of the game-winning puck.
The controversy began after the International Ice Hockey Federation secured the puck following the game. Later, the Hockey Hall of Fame displayed it in Toronto, leading Hughes to publicly question why he did not have possession of the historic souvenir.
The Devils star argued that he should have the right to keep such an important piece of personal history, especially because he hoped to share it with his family.
“I don’t see why Megan Keller or I shouldn’t have those pucks,” Hughes said in March. “I’m trying to get it. Like, that’s [expletive] that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?”
During an appearance on Locker 19, Wayne Gretzky revealed that he personally reached out to Hughes after hearing the criticism surrounding the situation. Gretzky made it clear that he understood Hughes’ frustration and believed the player had every right to express his opinion.
“First of all, the way the Hall of Fame works is that everything you give them is on loan. So I think that was Jack Hughes’ fight. It wasn’t with the Hall of Fame or his argument. It was with the IIHF,” Gretzky explained.
The NHL legend then disclosed the text message he sent directly to Hughes.
“So, I texted him, and I said, ‘I don’t think you said anything wrong. It’s your puck.’”
Gretzky continued to support Hughes’ position while also expressing confidence that the situation would eventually be resolved through cooperation between all parties involved.
“But he was going to put it in the Hall of Fame anyway. Yeah. But one day, he owns that puck. He scored that goal as far as I’m concerned,” Gretzky added.
While Hall of Fame curator Philip Pritchard previously stated that the puck was never Hughes’ property under IIHF tournament rules, Gretzky focused on the player’s connection to the moment itself.
He also praised the Hall of Fame’s willingness to work with players, saying, “The Hall of Fame is easy to work with. They do a great job. I’m sure they’re going to work this out.”
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For now, the puck remains one of hockey’s most discussed pieces of memorabilia, even months after that goal.
