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Luke Hughes (ice hockey)

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Luke Hughes
Hughes (right) with the New Jersey Devils in 2023
Born (2003-09-09) September 9, 2003 (age 21)
Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team New Jersey Devils
National team  United States
NHL draft 4th overall, 2021
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2023–present

Luke Hughes (born September 9, 2003) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey for two years with the University of Michigan of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), reaching the Frozen Four both seasons. He was selected fourth overall by the Devils in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

[edit]

College

[edit]
Hughes playing for the University of Michigan in a December 2022 game against the University of Wisconsin at the Kohl Center

Hughes committed to play college ice hockey for the University of Michigan during the 2021–22 season.[1] Hughes led the league in goals scored with 13 in conference play and recorded nine assists for 22 points, the second-most points in the league play behind Matty Beniers. He led the nation's defensemen in scoring with 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 37 games and is a +25. He set several Michigan program records this season. His 17 goals surpassed Dean Turner's freshman defenseman record of 13 set in 1975–76, and he passed Jack Johnson's 32 points for the most points by a Michigan freshman defenseman.[2] In March, Hughes recorded one goal and six assists in seven games and was subsequently named the Hockey Commissioner's Association Rookie of the Month.[3] Following an outstanding season, he was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, the All-Big Ten Second Team and was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year.[4] He was also named an AHCA West Second Team All-American.[5]

During the 2022–23 season he led the league's defensemen in scoring with seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points, averaging 1.27 points per game. In 39 total games, he recorded 10 goals and 38 assists, ranking second in the nation in points per game by a defenseman. Following an outstanding season he was named a finalist for the Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-Big Ten First Team.[6] He was also named an AHCA West First Team All-American.[7]

He was considered a top prospect for the 2021 NHL entry draft.[8] On July 23, 2021, Hughes was drafted fourth overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL entry draft.[9]

Professional

[edit]

On April 8, 2023, Hughes was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the New Jersey Devils.[10] Hughes made his NHL debut on April 11, in a 6–2 win against the Buffalo Sabres.[11] In the game, he blocked two shots, made one hit and one takeaway and skated a total 11:15 of ice time.[12] In the next game, Hughes recorded his first NHL goal, which was a game-winning goal, and an assist in a 5–4 overtime win against the Washington Capitals.[13] Hughes made his playoffs debut on May 7, at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, assisting on two goals in an 8–4, Game 3 win for the Devils.[14]

During the 2023–24 season, in his rookie season, Hughes set a franchise record for points by a rookie defenseman, recording nine goals and 47 points and playing in each of the Devils' 82 games. On April 3, 2024, against the New York Rangers, he recorded 32:49 minutes on ice and surpassed 24 minutes on 13 separate occasions.[15] His 47 points were tied with Brock Faber for second-most points among rookies. Hughes led rookie defensemen in power-play points (25), power-play goals (four), goals (nine), and takeaways (42) and was second in shots (135) and ice time per game (21:28). Following the season he was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy[16] and was voted unanimously to the All-Rookie Team.[17]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Canada

Hughes represented the United States at the 2019 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded one goal and three assists in six games and won a silver medal.[18]

On May 5, 2022, Hughes was named to the United States men's national ice hockey team to compete at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.[19] He recorded one goal and three assists in ten games.[20]

On December 12, 2022, Hughes was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[21] During the tournament, at which he served as team captain, he recorded four goals and one assist in seven games and won a bronze medal.[22]

Hughes made his second World Championship appearance at the 2024 World Championship, recording two goals and five points in eight games. The American team, despite being highly skilled and featuring multiple NHL stars, was eliminated in the quarterfinals.[23]

Personal life

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Hughes comes from an ice hockey-playing family. His father, Jim Hughes, is a former player and team captain for Providence College, an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins, and director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.[24][25] His mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, played ice hockey, lacrosse, and soccer at the University of New Hampshire and, in 2012, was inducted into the University of New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame.[25] She also played for the United States women's national ice hockey team, and won a silver medal at the 1992 World Championship.[26]

Hughes has two older brothers, Quinn, and Jack. Quinn was drafted seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL entry draft, while Jack was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL entry draft.[27] His mother is Jewish and his father is Catholic.[28]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2019–20 U.S. National Development Team USHL 28 4 9 13 6 — — — — —
2020–21 U.S. National Development Team USHL 18 4 11 15 8 — — — — —
2021–22 University of Michigan B1G 41 17 22 39 10 — — — — —
2022–23 University of Michigan B1G 39 10 38 48 26 — — — — —
2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 2 1 1 2 0 3 0 2 2 0
2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 82 9 38 47 28 — — — — —
NHL totals 84 10 39 49 28 3 0 2 2 0

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2019 United States U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 1 3 4 0
2022 United States WC 4th 10 1 3 4 0
2022 United States WJC 5th 5 1 5 6 0
2023 United States WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 4 1 5 2
2024 United States WC 5th 8 2 3 5 2
Junior totals 18 6 9 15 2
Senior totals 18 3 6 9 2

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year Ref
College
Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year 2022 [4]
All-Big Ten Second Team 2022
All-Big Ten Freshman Team 2022
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2022, 2023 [29]
AHCA West Second Team All-American 2022 [30]
All-Big Ten First Team 2023 [31]
AHCA West First Team All-American 2023 [32]
NHL
NHL All-Rookie Team 2024 [33]
EA Sports NHL cover athlete 2025 [34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ McNeil, Kristy (June 25, 2021). "Michigan Announces Five-Member Incoming Class for 2021-22 Season". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  2. ^ McNeil, Kristy (March 15, 2022). "Beniers, Power on All-Big Ten First Team; Hughes Shares Top Freshman Award". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ McNeil, Kristy (April 14, 2022). "Awards and Honors: Hughes Named Hockey Commissioner's Association Rookie of the Month". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". Big Ten. March 15, 2022. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  5. ^ McNeil, Kristy (April 8, 2022). "Beniers, Hughes and Power Earn All-American Honors". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  6. ^ McNeil, Kristy (March 14, 2023). "Fantilli Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  7. ^ McNeil, Kristy (April 7, 2023). "Hughes, Fantilli Named First Team All-Americans; Fantilli Rookie of the Year". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  8. ^ Masisak, Corey (July 22, 2021). "How Luke Hughes cemented his place as a top NHL draft prospect: 'He earned it on his own'". The Athletic. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  9. ^ Kasan, Sam (July 23, 2021). "Luke Hughes Selected by New Jersey with Fourth Pick". NHL.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "Devils Sign Luke Hughes". NHL.com. April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Lane, Jon (April 11, 2023). "Devils defeat Sabres, keep pace in Metro, clinch home ice in 1st round". NHL.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  12. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (April 12, 2023). "Luke Hughes makes strong 1st impression, will 'be a horse' for Devils". NHL.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  13. ^ Zuke, Ryan (April 13, 2023). "Ex-Michigan top-5 pick scores OT winner for first NHL goal". mlive.com. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Devils answer in Game 3, rout Canes 8-4, deficit now 2-1". ESPN. May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Kasan, Sam (April 30, 2024). "Hughes Named Calder Finalist". NHL.com. New Jersey Devils. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Satriano, David (April 30, 2024). "Bedard, Faber, Hughes named Calder Trophy finalists". NHL.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  17. ^ Morreale, Mike [@mikemorrealeNHL] (June 27, 2024). "NHL All Rookie Team G - Kochetkov, CAR D - Faber, MIN D - L Hughes, NJD F - Bedard, CHI F - Rossi, MIN F - Cooley, ARZ" (Tweet). Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Meet the third Hughes brother as Canada faces U.S. at U17 semis". TSN.ca. November 8, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  19. ^ Zuke, Ryan (May 5, 2022). "Four UM Wolverines named to Team USA roster for World Championship". MLive.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  20. ^ Potts, Andy (May 23, 2022). "The kids are alright for Team USA". IIHF.com. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  21. ^ Kimelman, Adam (December 12, 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  22. ^ McNeil, Kristy (January 2, 2023). "Wolverines at the 2023 World Junior Championship: Fantilli and Canada Win Gold; USA Takes Bronze". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  23. ^ Gaudio, Julian (May 29, 2024). "Devils' Luke Hughes Clocked In As Third Fastest Skater At The World Champion". The Hockey News. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  24. ^ Mullen, Liz (April 11, 2016). "CAA Hockey adds longtime coaches in staff positions to develop players". sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  25. ^ a b Krupa, Gregg (January 14, 2018). "Hockey runs deep in Hughes' family bloodline". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  26. ^ Olsen, Becky (December 16, 2015). "Quinn Hughes Follows in Family Footsteps with Hockey". usahockeyntdp.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  27. ^ Peters, Chris (April 5, 2018). "Meet the Hughes brothers, America's future first family of hockey". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  28. ^ "Sports Shorts". Jewish Sports Review. 11 (125): 13. January–February 2018.
  29. ^ McNeil, Kristy (March 19, 2022). "Michigan Scores Four Straight to Win Second B1G Tournament Championship". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  30. ^ "Four players return to 2021-22 Division I men's All-American teams, led by three-time pick Dryden McKay". USCHO.com. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  31. ^ "Big Ten Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". BigTen.org. March 14, 2023. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  32. ^ "Dual winner Adam Fantilli headlines national award winners". collegehockeyinc.org. April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  33. ^ "NHL announces 2023-24 All-Rookie Team". NHL.com. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  34. ^ Clark, Ryan S. (August 22, 2024). "Jack, Luke, Quinn Hughes on NHL 25 cover in first for brothers". ESPN. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by New Jersey Devils first round draft pick
2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Big Ten Freshman of the Year
2021–22
With: Jakub Dobeš 		Succeeded by
Preceded by EA Sports NHL cover athlete
2025
With: Jack Hughes & Quinn Hughes 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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