Jack Hughes, AJ Mleczko Share Awkward On-Ice Interview Moment

An exchange between New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes and ESPN analyst AJ Mleczko during the team's season opener has been labeled a leading contender for the "Awkward Moment of the Year." The incident occurred after the first period of the Devils' game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Prudential Center. Hughes, who was called over for an interview with Mleczko between the benches, offered standard remarks about the team's performance.

Mleczko then attempted a joke referencing Hughes' history of injuries, including a past incident where he sustained a cut during a team dinner. The joke did not land well, prompting a "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-esque reaction from observers, as noted by social media commentary.

The aftermath saw varied online responses. Some criticized Mleczko for her remark, while others defended her, suggesting that criticism was misogynistic. Some commentators also pointed to Hughes' own past reactions to jokes made by others.

One analysis suggested that Mleczko's choice of player was the misstep, stating that Hughes is not known for his outgoing personality and might not reciprocate humor like some other NHL players, such as Trevor Zegras or Brad Marchand. The commentary also noted that while awkward moments can happen to anyone in broadcasting, this particular instance was amplified by an attempt to tie it to an unrelated past event.

Mleczko, a former Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team, has been an analyst for ESPN's NHL coverage. Hughes, a prominent player for the Devils, was selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.