Wayne Gretzky backs Jack Hughes in Olympic puck ownership dispute

The ownership of Jack Hughes' Olympic golden-goal puck has sparked a heated debate involving the Hockey Hall of Fame and international hockey authorities. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky has come forward to defend the New Jersey Devils star, asserting that the puck rightfully belongs to Hughes, even though it is currently housed in Toronto. This issue has dominated NHL discussions in recent weeks.

The controversy stems from Hughes' overtime-winning goal against Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which secured a 2-1 victory and earned Team USA its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in 46 years. The historic achievement solidified Hughes' place in hockey history, but the ownership of the puck has ignited a fresh debate. Gretzky has publicly supported Hughes, stating that the puck should ultimately belong to the player who scored the iconic goal.

Gretzky clarified that the disagreement is not with the Hockey Hall of Fame but with the International Ice Hockey Federation. Speaking on the "Locker 19" show, he emphasized that Hughes is entitled to voice his opinion about keeping the puck, which represents one of the most significant moments in U.S. hockey history.

The puck, along with other memorabilia from the tournament, was collected and later displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Hughes has expressed his desire to retain the keepsake from his historic goal, adding a personal dimension to the debate.

The Hockey Hall of Fame, however, maintains that the puck was never officially owned by Hughes. According to Hall of Fame curator Philip Pritchard, the puck was properly donated to the institution, with all necessary paperwork completed.

Despite the ongoing disagreement, Gretzky noted that the Hall of Fame has been cooperative and expressed optimism that a resolution could eventually be reached. Regardless of the outcome, Hughes’ game-winning goal remains a defining moment in Olympic hockey history and is expected to feature prominently in NHL updates throughout 2026.