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New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was booed by fans attending a NJ Devils hockey game at the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
The game marked the NHL return of Team USA Olympic champion Jack Hughes since scoring the game-winning goal against Canada in Sunday’s gold medal game.
Sherrill was there to welcome Hughes and the other Olympians back to the ice stateside, but when she was announced over the PA for the puck drop, the Newark crowd erupted in smiles for her and her husband, Jason Hedberg.
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Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during a pre-Olympic event with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Devils owners David and Allison Blitzer on Feb. 25, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Still, Sherrill continued to create a social media post featuring photos of himself, Hughes and other players, celebrating the gold medal. Sherrill was mocked in response, as many critics pointed out how overrated she was.
“He somehow managed to get a big bang during the big fun at the Rock,” wrote one X user.
Another user wrote, “Didn’t everyone insult you?”
Sherrill has been under fire from patriotic Americans since his 2025 campaign, when it was revealed that he was barred from participating in his Naval Academy commencement because of disciplinary actions involving teachers who plagiarized test answers in a challenging electrical engineering course required of all non-engineering majors.
Sherrill downplayed his involvement, saying, “I didn’t answer my classmates, so I didn’t go but I graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy, serving for almost ten years with the highest distinction and honor.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill presents the state flag to Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils at a pregame welcome ceremony on Feb. 25 in Newark, New Jersey, following Team USA’s gold medal victory. (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 barring immigration enforcement with the new law.
Still, Sherrill’s presence didn’t stop anyone at the Prudential Center from celebrating Hughes and company Wednesday.
Before the puck drop against the Buffalo Sabers, the Devils honored all their Olympians from 2026, including those who represent foreign countries. No one received a warmer welcome from the crowd than Hughes, as fans chanted “USA!”
Hughes nearly broke down in tears as he addressed the crowd.
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“I am very proud and happy that the USA men’s and women’s hockey teams brought back gold medals to the United States of America,” Hughes told the crowd. “Guys, I’m sorry, but I’m proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization. And I’m proud, I’m proud to represent the beautiful state of New Jersey – I’m proud.
“From the bottom of my heart, all my teammates, my USA teammates, we want to thank you for all the love and support. We feel it.”
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