The story surrounding Jack Hughes and his Olympic gold medal-winning puck continues to make headlines. While the historic puck is now in the hands of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Hughes has made it clear that he wants it back.
Hughes’ Team USA teammate Matthew Tkachuk has jumped into the conversation.
Matthew Tkachuk Backs Jack Hughes in Gold Medal Puck Dispute
Hughes delivered one of the biggest moments in recent U.S. hockey history, scoring the overtime winner to lift Team USA to a 2-1 gold medal victory over Team Canada. The goal ended a 46-year Olympic drought and came on the anniversary of the iconic Miracle on Ice.
In the chaos that followed, Hughes didn’t grab the puck. It wasn’t until days later that he realized it was missing, briefly sparking concern that such a historic piece had been lost.
That worry didn’t last long. The International Ice Hockey Federation confirmed the puck had been secured and later transferred to the Hall of Fame, where it’s now on display.
Still, Hughes isn’t thrilled with that outcome and has expressed a desire to have the puck returned. The Hall of Fame, however, has made its position clear.
According to vice president and curator Philip Pritchard, “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.”
In other words, the puck is staying put.
That didn’t stop Tkachuk from sharing his perspective and siding, at least in part, with Hughes. “I think when it comes to pucks… if you score a big goal you get that puck so if Jack wants the puck, I hope he can get it, but obviously we love the hockey Hall of Fame…” Tkachuk said.
He added, “It’s definitely a cool spot for it, but I believe Jack should have it.”
ALSO READ: Sidney Crosby Didn’t Even Think About Pulling a Jack Hughes For 2010 Olympics
Why the IIHF Won’t Return the Olympic Puck to Hughes
Unlike in the NHL, where players often keep milestone pucks, Olympic items follow a different process. The IIHF works alongside the International Olympic Committee to collect and preserve historic artifacts.
Since 1998, the IIHF has been responsible for ensuring items like Hughes’ overtime puck are authenticated and protected, often donating them to the Hall of Fame for long-term display. That means, by rule, the puck was never destined to end up in Hughes’ personal collection.
The outcome seems clear: the puck will stay in the Hall of Fame. Still, with players like Tkachuk publicly backing Hughes, the conversation highlights an ongoing tension between tradition and personal legacy, one that may not go away anytime soon.
