Jack Hughes' golden goal puck valued at $1 million after stunning USA Olympic win over Canada

When Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in the sudden-death match against Canada in Milan, he not only won Olympic gold for Team USA, but he also might have created a sports artifact worth a million dollars.

It has been weeks since the stunning 2-1 win over Canada secured America’s first gold medal in the men’s Olympic hockey event in almost five decades, but experts are now of the opinion that the puck used to score that winning goal might fetch as much as $1 million at auction if it is ever put up for sale.The puck used to score that winning goal has been assessed by leading sports memorabilia house SCP Auctions and is considered to be a potential record-breaker if ever sold.

This gives the puck used to score that winning goal instant status as one of the most sought-after sports artifacts in hockey history.

Why Jack Hughes’ Olympic golden goal puck could command a million-dollar auction price tag

As Jack Hughes threw off his gloves and was surrounded by his teammates, the puck was nowhere to be seen, even among the chaos of the game. Even the hero of the game himself didn’t know where the puck went, admitting so himself a few days later on the NHL on TNT broadcast. This was short-lived, however, as the International Ice Hockey Federation stepped forward and announced that they had the puck all the time, documenting it immediately after the game was completed.

Not long after, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced that the puck was now under their control and would be displayed for the public, ending any hopes of a private collector wanting to bid on the artifact.According to SCP Auctions' president, David Kohler, there is historical precedent for the sale of hockey memorabilia. For example, the 1980 Winter Olympics' gold medal awarded to Steve Christoff was sold for over $375,000.

Mike Eruzione's famous hockey stick from the same event was sold for $290,000.Hughes' goal is reminiscent of the 1980 Winter Olympics' Miracle on Ice. Not only was the goal scored in overtime against the United States' toughest competitor, Canada, but it also ended a drought of Olympic success for the United States.While the puck will not be on display for sale for some time, its estimated worth solidifies its place in sports history. Once an ordinary piece of vulcanized rubber, Hughes's goal puck has become a symbol of the United States' rise to power in hockey and possibly the most valuable puck ever made.