New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was met with loud boos Wednesday night at the Prudential Center as the New Jersey Devils honored Team USA’s Olympic hockey gold medal performance, including forward Jack Hughes, as reported by The New York Post.

Sherrill, 54, and her husband, Jason Hedberg, were announced to the ice before the Devils faced the Buffalo Sabres.

The couple, wearing custom Devils jerseys, participated in a pregame ceremony recognizing Hughes for scoring the gold medal-clinching overtime goal against Canada in the Winter Olympics final on Sunday.

The win marked the United States’ first Olympic hockey gold medal since 1980.

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As Sherrill and her husband took part in the ceremony, fans inside the arena began jeering.

The governor, who assumed office just over a month ago, was present for the ceremonial puck drop and presented Hughes with a New Jersey State flag.

During the event, Hughes, Devils managing partner David Blitzer, and his wife Allison Blitzer joined Sherrill and Hedberg at center ice for a photo.

The governor’s office later shared images from the ceremony on social media, highlighting Hughes’ achievement.

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“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.”

Online users quickly noted that the governor’s post did not include video from the arena.

“Sounded like most everyone there was Booing you… Might want to figure out the ‘why’” one person wrote.

“Your managed to somehow get booed loudly during the most festive thing at the Rock ever,” another comment read.

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“You got booed by the US Hockey Team fans? Probably the first Annapolis grad in history that has happened to,” a third reacted.

“You got boo’d by every single person in the stadium of the state you represent,” another wrote.

When Hughes was introduced, the arena responded with chants of “U-S-A.” The 24-year-old forward delivered an emotional speech.

“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 said to 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.”

Sherrill previously represented New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025 before taking office as governor.

In her first month in office, she signed Executive Order No. 12 on Feb. 11, aimed at shielding Garden State residents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on nonpublic state property.

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The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Sherrill and the State of New Jersey over the order. Federal officials accused the governor, a former prosecutor, of “aiming to intentionally obstruct federal law enforcement.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the matter in a statement on Tuesday.

“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,” Bondi said.

The Devils’ ceremony was intended to celebrate Hughes and Team USA’s Olympic victory, but the governor’s reception inside the arena quickly became a focal point of the night.

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