NJ Gov. Sherrill booed at Devils hockey game ceremony celebrating Jack Hughes
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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill was booed by fans attending the NJ Devils hockey game at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
The game marked the NHL return of U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal against Canada in Sunday’s gold medal game.
Sherrill attended the ceremony welcoming Hughes and other Olympians to the U.S. ice arena, but when the ceremonial puck toss was announced by the PA spokesman, the crowd in Newark broke out with relentless boos for her and husband Jason Hedberg.
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Jack Hughes, #86 of the New Jersey Devils, with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Devils Owners David and Allison Blitzer during the pre-game Olympic Ceremony at the Prudential Center on February 25, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Still, Sherrill went on to publish a social media post with photos of himself, Hughes and other players celebrating the gold medal. Sherrill was mocked, as many critics pointed out how loudly he was booed.
“You somehow managed to get loudly booed during the most festive event ever in Rock,” wrote one X user.
Another user wrote: “Didn’t everyone boo you?”
Sherrill has been the target of criticism from patriotic Americans since his 2025 campaign; During this period, it was revealed that he was prevented from attending the Naval Academy graduation ceremony due to disciplinary action related to stealing test answers from midshipmen in a particularly challenging electrical engineering course required for all non-engineering majors.
Sherill downplayed his involvement, saying, “I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk out, but I graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served with the highest degree of distinction and honor for almost a decade.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill presents the state flag to Jack Hughes, number 86, of the New Jersey Devils during the pre-game home welcome ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, on February 25, following Team USA’s gold medal win. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Just this week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against New Jersey and Sherrill, accusing the state of expanding sanctuary policies and obstructing federal immigration enforcement through a new executive order.
Still, Sherill’s presence didn’t stop anyone at the Prudential Center from celebrating Hughes and his friendship Wednesday.
Before puck drop against the Buffalo Sabers, the Devils honored all of their 2026 Olympians, including those representing foreign countries. Fans chant “USA!” chanted, no one received a warmer welcome from the crowd than Hughes.
Hughes nearly burst into tears as he addressed the crowd.
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“I am very proud and very happy that the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams brought gold medals to the United States,” Hughes told the crowd. “You guys move me, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization. And I’m so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey, so proud.”
“From the bottom of my heart, we want to thank all of my teammates, my teammates in the USA, for the love and support you all have shown. We feel it.”
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