NJ Gov. booed as Devils honor USA hockey star

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was booed as USA hockey star Jack Hughes received a hero’s welcome on his return from the Winter Olympics . Hughes, 24, scored the game-winning goal in dramatic fashion as the US men’s hockey team claimed their first gold medal since 1980 with a thrilling 2-1 victory over bitter rival Canada at the Milan-Cortina Games. After partying in Miami and taking a whirlwind trip to the White House , the forward finally reported back to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday as the NHL returned to action following the Olympic break. Hughes was honored by the New Jersey Devils before their loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night, with Gov. Sherrill in attendance to celebrate his Olympic achievement.

Sherrill stepped onto the ice with her husband, Jason Hedberg, and Devils owners David and Allison Blitzer to present a state flag to Hughes. However, as the Democratic Governor was announced by the PA spokesperson for the ceremonial puck drop, the crowd gathered inside the Prudential Center relentlessly booed her. The Governor was also ruthlessly mocked on social media after she shared photos of the occasion on X. ‘A piece of history was brought back to Jersey tonight,’ Sherrill wrote. ‘ Congratulations to the men and women of @usahockey on bringing home gold – and @njdevils’ own Jack Hughes for scoring the Golden Goal. Keep making Jersey proud.’

In response, one fan wrote: ‘We love Jack. However, thankfully you got booed which is the reception you deserved.’ ‘Sounded like most everyone there was Booing you… Might want to figure out the ‘why,” another posted. Meanwhile, a third gloatingly asked: ‘Didn’t everyone boo you?’ Devils showed video of Hughes’ overtime goal in the United States’ 2-1 victory before he emotionally addressed the Newark crowd. ‘I’m so proud and so happy that the men’s and women’s hockey teams brought the gold medal back to America,’ Hughes told the crowd. ‘And I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization and to represent the great state of New Jersey.’

‘I get goosebumps when I watch it back,’ Hughes said after the game. The center lost a few teeth in the third period of that game when he was high-sticked by Sam Bennett, and on Wednesday he joked about his missing teeth. ‘I’d have to look in the mirror and add it up,’ he said. ‘I have a couple of half-teeth.’ Earlier in the week, a popular deli near the Prudential Center named a sandwich after Hughes. The sandwich is advertised as being ‘so tender, you don’t need teeth.’ Hughes assisted on Timo Meier’s goal late in the third but also had a turnover that led to the second Buffalo goal as the Devils lost 2-1.

‘Obviously, this was a tough one for Jack,’ Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. ‘It´s been a whirlwind for him. He had a lot of short shifts early and Jack’s not a short shift guy. If he’s giving you short shifts, you know he’s not quite feeling it early. All things considered, he gave us a lot.’ Hughes was not at the morning skate Wednesday. He arrived in New Jersey late Tuesday night after being recognized with his US teammates by President Donald Trump at the State of the Union address. The USA hockey stars received a far warmer welcome inside the House chamber at the Capitol than Sherrill did at the Rock.

Led by Hughes and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the men’s players entered the House chamber through two sets of doors and walked down the rows of the press gallery. Republicans cheered and chanted ‘USA!’ several times, many even pumping fists. Lisa McClain, the Republican House Conference Chair, shouted ‘Love you!’ to the players. The experience was particularly special for one player when Trump suddenly announced that he would be awarding the nation’s highest honor. During the celebrations Trump announced he was awarding Hellebuyck, who remarkably saved 41 of 42 shots in the 2-1 overtime win over Canada, the Presidential Medal of Freedom following a vote by the players .

Trump said: ‘They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everybody saw. As did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House. ‘They were in the Oval Office before and I just want to say a second big congratulations to Team USA. We took a vote and I said “if anybody votes no, I’m not doing it.” They said they weren’t about to say no because they’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as Connor Hellebuyck. ‘I asked him, “the one shot where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off, did you practice that or was it a little lucky? He refused to answer that question. ‘But I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote and in this case my vote was more important, that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor which is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

‘What a special job you did. What special champions you are. Thank you very much.’ The men’s team spent Tuesday in Washington DC after being invited by Trump in the celebratory locker room phone call that has since divided America. Following a riotous night of celebrating in Miami, the men’s team flew to Washington DC on Tuesday morning. They met Trump in the Oval Office as he prepared to deliver his State of the Union address. There were 20 members of the 25-man Winter Olympics roster in Washington DC with five choosing to skip the trip.