During the first intermission of the New Jersey Devils’ October 1, 2026 season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers, ESPN analyst A.J. Mleczko joked about Jack Hughes’s hand injury from the previous season. Hughes replied, “I mean, I think that’s a weird joke,” then skated away from the interview. The moment was described in some coverage as Hughes “storming off,” but the reported action was that he left after responding.
What happened between Jack Hughes and ESPN?
The exchange took place during an in-game interview at the first intermission of the Devils–Flyers opener, according to contemporary coverage. Mleczko made a joke about Hughes’s prior injury involving bubble wrap and plastic cutlery. Hughes called it a “weird joke” and skated away.
That account establishes what was said and what Hughes did next. It does not establish his private reaction or explain why he chose to leave, so it is more accurate to describe the visible action than to assign him a motive.
What injury was the joke about?
The joke referred to a hand injury Hughes sustained during the previous season. Reports from Us Weekly and Yahoo Sports said the injury required surgery and caused him to miss 18 games (injury coverage). The reports cited here do not establish further medical specifics.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
How did the game end?
The Devils beat the Flyers 3–2, and contemporary coverage reported that Hughes scored the game-winning goal (Yahoo Sports’ game coverage). The interview happened during the game’s first intermission.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COLLECTIBLE SET: Includes 6 Hockey Romance themed page overlays, perfect for fans and collectors of the series.
- RIVALRY INSPIRED DESIGN: Each overlay features artwork inspired by Hockey Romance, adding a themed visual flair to your reading experience.
- NON-DAMAGING OVERLAY: Made from translucent printed vellum laminated film, these overlays sit on top of pages without permanently altering them.
- BEAUTIFULLY DECORATIVE: The transparent overlay transforms your pages with stunning themed artwork, adding an eye-catching visual layer that makes your reading time even more special.
- PERFECT SIZE: Each page overlay measures approximately 5.4" x 8.5", fitting standard book pages and doubling as a stylish bookmark.
Rank #3
- Hockey themed hot stamp foil on black cover
- Reinforced 3" D-ring with booster for quick loading of pages
- Rated to withstand 10º fahrenheit for cold cracking
- Indexing slot on the spine for easy organization
- Rich foam padding
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
