Earlier this week, USA golden goal hero Jack Hughes publicly requested that the Hockey Hall of Fame return the puck from his tournament-winning goal at the 2026 Olympics expressing frustration that the historic memento remains in the institution’s possession rather than with his family.

On Wednesday, Sidney Crosby was asked about Hughes’ request and addressed the situation. He shared his own perspective on what happened when his puck from the 2010 Olympic gold medal-winning goal was sent to the Hall of Fame.

“I didn’t even think about it that way, to be honest with you,” Crosby told The Athletic. “I was just happy that I scored the goal. I was happy that the puck was going to the Hall of Fame. I didn’t even think about it that way.”

The Penguins captain’s puck from his overtime winner against Canada remains at the Hockey Hall of Fame and Crosby has not sought to retrieve it.

Jack Hughes had made his feelings clear in an interview with ESPN where he mentioned that the puck remain in the Hall of Fame’s possession.

“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?” Hughes said.

Hughes later explained that his desire to reclaim the puck stems from wanting to give it to his father, Jim Hughes. The 24-year-old center also said Megan Keller, who scored the golden goal for Team USA’s women, should have her puck returned.

Hockey Hall of Fame VP comments on Jack Hughes’ request

Afterwards, vice president and curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame Philip Pritchard addressed Hughes’ comments by outlining the institution’s position on artifact ownership.

Pritchard explained that as a nonprofit registered charity in Canada, the Hall operates under legal protocols for accepted donations. Once items enter the permanent collection, they are insured and preserved according to institutional standards.

“Unfortunately, in the easiest words, it was never Jack’s puck to own,” Pritchard said. “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.”

“We try to take the emotion out of it. We’re here to preserve a game that Jack’s lucky enough to play or we’re lucky enough to work in. That’s why the Hockey Hall of Fame museum exists as an institution: We’re preserving the game of the past, present and the future,” he added.

Hughes has since indicated he will not actively pursue the matter. When recently asked about the puck situation, he said his focus remains on playing hockey and he does not plan to reach out to the Hall of Fame.