Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) speaks with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
(Newark, NJ) – New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was met with loud boos Wednesday night at the Prudential Center as the New Jersey Devils honored U.S. Olympic hockey star Jack Hughes.
Sherrill and her husband, Jason Hedberg, were announced to the ice before the Devils’ matchup against the Buffalo Sabres for a ceremonial puck drop and to present Hughes with a New Jersey state flag.
As the governor’s name was called, much of the crowd inside the packed arena erupted into boos.
Olympic Celebration Overshadowed
The pregame ceremony was meant to celebrate Hughes’ heroics at the Winter Olympics, where the 24-year-old forward scored the overtime, gold medal-clinching goal for Team USA against Canada — delivering America’s first Olympic hockey gold since 1980.
Fans chanted “U-S-A” when Hughes was introduced, and the Devils star gave an emotional speech at center ice.
Sherrill, wearing a custom Devils jersey, posed for photos alongside Hughes, Devils managing partner David Blitzer and his wife Allison Blitzer.
The governor’s office later posted photos from the ceremony on social media:
A piece of history was brought back to Jersey tonight.
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. pic.twitter.com/ski5hP197E
— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) February 26, 2026
Social Media Reacts
Users quickly flooded the comments, referencing the audible boos during the ceremony.
“Sounded like most everyone there was booing you… Might want to figure out the ‘why,’” one commenter wrote.
Another added: “You managed to somehow get booed loudly during the most festive thing at the Rock ever.”
The reaction marked a striking moment for Sherrill, who has been in office just over a month. It remains unclear what specifically prompted the crowd’s response.
The Devils went on to play their regularly scheduled game following the ceremony.
Neither the go
