TORONTO — Jack Hughes disputed the Hockey Hall of Fame's ownership of the puck he used to score the game-winning goal in overtime during the men's gold medal match at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The International Ice Hockey Federation had donated the puck to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto for exhibition in its permanent collection.

Hughes scored the decisive goal as the United States defeated Canada to win its first men's Olympic hockey gold medal since 1980. The International Ice Hockey Federation secured the pucks used to score the men's and women's gold medal-winning goals immediately after the Olympics and donated them to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"I don't see why Megan Keller or I shouldn't have those pucks. Like, that's B.S. that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?" said Hughes, who plays for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League. "I'd want it for my dad. I know he'd just love, love having it."

Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame, defended the institution's ownership. "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."

The Hockey Hall of Fame opened an "Olympics '26" exhibit featuring the gold medal-winning pucks along with other artifacts from the Milan Cortina Olympics. An IIHF spokesperson said, "The puck was designated for archival preservation with the Hockey Hall of Fame to ensure its long-term safekeeping and historical recognition."

The exhibit will feature more than 70 items, including jerseys worn by Sidney Crosby and Hilary Knight, and equipment from other Olympic players. Megan Keller scored the golden goal in overtime to secure the U.S. women's hockey team's gold medal at the same Olympics.

After a game against the New York Rangers, Hughes said the puck is where it should be, referring to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The United States won gold medals in men's, women's, and Paralympic sled hockey at the Milan Cortina Olympics, defeating Canada in each final and winning all three for the first time in the same year.