Mikie Sherrill was met with boos from New Jersey Devils fans as the team celebrated its Olympians, including American standout Jack Hughes.
The crowd at Prudential Center erupted in jeers after the 54-year-old Democrat and her husband, Jason Hedberg, were introduced on the ice ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.
Sherrill, who took office just over a month ago, participated in the ceremonial puck drop and presented Hughes with a New Jersey state flag during the pregame tribute
Mikie Sherrill and her husband, Jason Hedberg, posed with Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils managing partner David Blitzer and Allison Blitzer before the Feb. 25, 2026 game.
The pregame ceremony honored Hughes after the star forward scored Team USA’s gold medal–clinching overtime goal against Canada in the Winter Olympics final on Sunday — securing the Americans’ first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.
🚨HOLY CRAP! Patriots at last nights NJ Devils game went ABSOLUTELY WILD cheering Team USA hero Jack Hughes, then turned around and RELENTLESSLY BOOED Dem Gov. Mikie Sherrill the second she showed her face!
The crowd showed NO MERCY! pic.twitter.com/p36bFYBoQR
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 26, 2026
Wearing custom Devils jerseys, the first couple joined Jack Hughes and New Jersey Devils managing partner David Blitzer and his wife, Allison Blitzer, for a center-ice photo.
The governor’s office later shared images from the photo op, with Mikie Sherrill congratulating Hughes and noting that a “part of history” was in New Jersey.
“A piece of history was brought back to Jersey tonight,” the caption read. “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.”
Social media users quickly pointed out that the post did not include video of the moment Sherrill was loudly booed during the pregame ceremony.
“Sounded like most everyone there was booing you… Might want to figure out the ‘why,’” one person wrote.
The crowd at Prudential Center erupted in sustained boos for Mikie Sherrill and her husband, Jason Hedberg, during the pregame ceremony.
“You managed to somehow get booed loudly during the most festive thing at the Rock ever,” one commenter wrote.
“You got booed by the U.S. Hockey Team fans? Probably the first Annapolis grad in history that has happened to,” another added, referencing Sherrill’s alma mater, the United States Naval Academy.
“You got boo’d by every single person in the stadium of the state you represent,” a third wrote.
When Jack Hughes was introduced, however, the packed arena broke into chants of “U-S-A” before the 24-year-old delivered a tearful address to the crowd.
Jack Hughes met with Gary Bettman and Mikie Sherrill before the New Jersey Devils faced the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 25, 2026.
Brothers Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes wore their gold medals as they attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026.
“I’m so proud and I’m so happy that the men’s and women’s USA hockey teams brought gold medals back to the United States of America,” Hughes told the crowd. “You guys are making me emotional, but I’m so proud to represent the New Jersey Devils organization. And I’m so, so proud to represent the great state of New Jersey — so proud.
“From the bottom of my heart, all of my teammates, USA teammates, we just want to thank you guys for all the love and support. We feel it.”
Mikie Sherrill, who represented New Jersey’s 11th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, has faced criticism during her first month in office.
The newly sworn-in governor and the state of New Jersey were sued by the United States Department of Justice after she signed an executive order shielding residents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on nonpublic state property.
Federal officials alleged Sherrill, a former prosecutor, was “aiming to intentionally obstruct federal law enforcement” with Executive Order No. 12, signed Feb. 11.
“Federal agents are risking their lives to keep New Jersey citizens safe, and yet New Jersey’s leaders are enacting policies designed to obstruct and endanger law enforcement,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Tuesday.
