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New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was booed by fans attending the NJ Devils hockey game at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
The game marked the return to the NHL of Team USA’s Olympic hero Jack Hughes since scoring the game-winning goal against Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Sherrill was on hand to welcome Hughes and other Olympians back to the U.S. ice, but when the PA spokesman announced her for the puck drop ceremony, the Newark crowd erupted in relentless booing for her and her husband, Jason Hedberg.
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Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during an Olympic pregame ceremony with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Devils owners David and Allison Blitzer on February 25, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Still, Sherrill made a social media post that included photos of her, Hughes and other players, celebrating the gold medal. Sherrill was mocked in response, as many critics pointed out how loudly she was booed.
“Somehow you managed to get loudly booed during the most festive event that has ever taken place in Rock,” wrote one X user.
Another user wrote: “Didn’t everyone boo you?”
Sherrill has been the target of criticism from American patriots dating back to his 2025 campaign, when it was revealed that he was barred from participating in his Naval Academy graduation due to disciplinary action involving midshipmen stealing exam answers in a particularly challenging electrical engineering course required for all non-engineering majors.
Sherill downplayed her participation, saying, “I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk, but instead graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for nearly ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill presents the state flag to Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils at a pre-game welcome home ceremony on February 25 in Newark, New Jersey, 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 its sanctuary policies and obstructing federal immigration law enforcement through a new executive order.
Still, Sherill’s presence didn’t stop anyone at the Prudential Center from celebrating Hughes and company on Wednesday.
Before puck drop against the Buffalo Sabres, the Devils honored all of their 2026 Olympians, including those who represented foreign nations. No one received a warmer reception from the crowd than Hughes, as fans chanted “USA!”
Hughes nearly burst into tears as he addressed the crowd.
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“I am very proud and very happy that the US men’s and women’s hockey teams brought gold medals to the United States of America,” Hughes told the crowd. “You guys are exciting me, but I’m very proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization. And I’m very, very proud to represent the great state of New Jersey, very proud.
“From the bottom of my heart, to all my teammates, USA teammates, we just want to thank you for all the love and support. We’re sorry.”
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