Jack Hughes Takes Jibe at ESPN Reporter During Game
An ESPN reporter attempted to make a joke with Jack Hughes, a prominent player for the New Jersey Devils, during a game on Thursday. The attempt clearly didn’t sit well with Hughes, but it may have ignited a competitive spark in him.
Hughes, who was instrumental in securing Team USA’s gold medal in February, missed a month of last season due to a bizarre injury. He accidentally cut his finger on glass while cooking at a team dinner, an incident that required surgery and significantly impacted his season.
During the game against the Philadelphia Flyers, ESPN’s A.J. Mleczko joked, “Well, it’s great to see you healthy. Let’s wrap you in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery this year. That sound good?”
Hughes was quick to dismiss the comment.
An ESPN reporter told Jack Hughes to use plastic cutlery after cutting his finger at a team dinner last year, which required surgery.
He’s reply: “That’s a weird joke mid-game.” pic.twitter.com/gUwodZ4hLw
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 2, 2026
“I think that’s a weird joke mid-game,” he said before skating away.
Later, during overtime, Hughes scored the winning goal and tossed his stick into the crowd.
Some users on social media reacted harshly to Hughes’ reply, labeling it as mean or even misogynistic. One person commented, “Jack Hughes had a very public display of misogyny that he’s not coming back from in my mind unless he shows that he has grown up and learned. That’s a harmless, but pretty inappropriate thing to say to a professional athlete.”
Others defended him, noting the inappropriateness of joking with a professional athlete during a critical moment.
After all, a player in the NHL is usually riding a wave of adrenaline, their focus solely on the game ahead. They typically don’t have time for playful banter—especially not in the middle of a high-stakes match.
Here’s hoping the ESPN reporter wasn’t too put off by the encounter. Engaging with Jack Hughes can be intense; he’s a player who’s all about the competition.
