Jack Hughes (born May 14, 2001) is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). A product of the U.S. National Development Team, Hughes was drafted first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Jack Hughes
Hughes in 2019
Born (2001-05-14) May 14, 2001 (age 23)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
NHL team New Jersey Devils
National team  United States
NHL draft 1st overall, 2019
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2019–present

Playing career

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Minor and junior career

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While playing with the Mississauga Rebels of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), Hughes applied for exceptional player status to be able to enter the Canadian Hockey League a year early.[1] After his application was denied, he played his final year with the Toronto Marlboros, putting up 159 points.

After completing his minor career with the Marlboros, Hughes was drafted eighth overall by the Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League, despite his commitment to the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP).[2] Hughes kept his commitment and played with the USNTDP for the 2017–18 season. Splitting his time between the U17 and U18 teams, he put up 116 points, nearly beating Auston Matthews's record.[3] At the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, Hughes was awarded the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award as the best American-born player in junior ice hockey.[4]

During the 2018–19 season, Hughes broke the NTDP all-time points record that was previously held by Clayton Keller. In a 12–4 win over the Green Bay Gamblers on March 15, 2019, he recorded five points to give him 190 overall. In the same game, teammate Cole Caufield broke the NTDP record for most goals.[5][6]

New Jersey Devils

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On June 21, 2019, at the 2019 NHL entry draft, Hughes was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils.[7] On July 12, Hughes signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Devils.[8] Hughes recorded his first career NHL point on October 17, in a game against the New York Rangers. In doing so, he became the third-youngest player in franchise history to record a point.[9] Two days later, he recorded his first career NHL goal in a 1–0 win over the Vancouver Canucks and his older brother, Quinn.[10]

In the first game of the 2021–22 season, on October 15, 2021, against the Chicago Blackhawks, Hughes scored an overtime goal to win the game 4–3, his second goal of the game, and tossed his stick into the crowd in an iconic celebration that was later replicated by Anaheim Ducks forward and former NTDP linemate Trevor Zegras, and then again by Hughes at the All-Star Game.[11][12][13] On November 30, 2021, Hughes signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with the Devils.[14] The season was considered a breakout year for Hughes, despite missing seventeen games in October after dislocating his shoulder.[15] He was selected to his first NHL All-Star Game in 2022, becoming the first player from the 2019 NHL draft class to be selected as an All-Star.[16] In early April 2022, after scoring a new career high of 26 goals and 30 assists in 49 games, the season ended on a disappointing note when Hughes sustained an MCL sprain after a hit by New York Islanders right wing Oliver Wahlstrom, as a result of which he missed the final 13 games.[15]

The 2022–23 season saw Hughes hitting career highs in goals (43), assists (56) and points (99), while leading the Devils to third in the NHL and a franchise-high 52 wins.[17] Hughes' 43 goals placed him top-ten in the NHL among goal-scorers, while his 99 points set a franchise record for most points in a season. Hughes was selected for his second career All-Star Game and qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in his career.[18] His franchise-record 99th point, which he recorded in the final game of the 2022–23 regular season, was an assist on the overtime game-winner and first career goal by his brother, Luke Hughes, who had just joined the Devils one game prior.[19] Hughes was also nominated for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, an award granted to the player exhibiting the best "sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability".[20]

In his playoff debut against the New York Rangers, Hughes scored his first playoff goal on a penalty shot against goaltender Igor Shesterkin in a 5–1 loss at home in Game 1. Hughes' goal made him only the fourth player in NHL history to score their first career postseason goal on a penalty shot.[21] Hughes went on to have three goals and five points in the series, with the Devils eliminating the Rangers in seven games and advancing to the Second Round for the first time since the 2011–12 season.[22] They were eliminated in the second round in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes.[23]

 
Hughes (left) on the Devils bench during a December 2023 game

The first six games of the 2023–24 season saw Hughes put up 17 points, a total that had not been reached so quickly since Mario Lemieux in 1995–96, who also scored 17 in six games.[24] On November 3, 2023, during the Devils' 4–1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, Hughes fell into the boards at high speed and left the game with a shoulder injury.[25] He returned to play on November 18, recording a goal and an assist in a 5–3 loss against the New York Rangers.[26] On December 16, Hughes recorded his 100th NHL goal in his 267th NHL game, becoming the fastest Devil to reach the 100-goal milestone and the second-fastest in franchise history.[27][28] In January 2024, Hughes was named to his third career and third consecutive All-Star Game, where he, his brother Quinn, and Michael Bublé were named co-captains of one of the teams.[29][30] Hughes sustained an upper-body injury for the second time that season on January 5, when he fell awkwardly late in a 4–2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and was unable to participate in the All-Star Game.[31][32] He returned to play on February 8, after missing 11 games.[33] On April 9, it was announced that Hughes would undergo shoulder surgery and would miss the remainder of the season. He finished the season with 27 goals and 74 points in 62 games.[34][35]

International play

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Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing   United States
World Junior Championship
  2019 Canada
World U18 Championship
  2018 Russia
  2019 Sweden

Hughes played two under-17 tournaments representing the United States, the 2017 Four Nations Cup, where he scored two goals and six points in six games, and the 2017 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored five goals and fifteen points in ten games. The Americans would claim gold at each event.[36]

At the 2018 World U18 Championship, Hughes led the tournament with seven assists and twelve points in seven games, and was selected as the tournament MVP, named to the media all-star team, and chosen as the best forward of the tournament.[36]

On December 23, 2018, Hughes was selected to compete at the 2019 World Junior Championship alongside his brother Quinn.[37] Hughes missed three games of the tournament with an undisclosed injury but returned to the lineup in time to help Team USA beat the Czech Republic. He recorded an assist on Noah Cates's goal in his return.[38] Hughes ended the tournament with four assists as Team USA lost to Team Finland in the gold medal match. He later competed at the 2019 World U18 Championship, where he broke Alexander Ovechkin's goals scored record as Team USA won a bronze medal.[39]

On May 1, 2019, Hughes was named to the senior United States roster to compete at the 2019 World Championship, again alongside Quinn. At the age of 17, Hughes became the youngest player to represent Team USA at an IIHF World Championship.[40] On December 6, 2019, Hughes' NHL team, the New Jersey Devils, announced they would not release him to play for Team USA at the 2020 World Junior Championship.[41]

Personal life

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Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida, but grew up in Toronto, Ontario.[42] He cited his favorite player as Patrick Kane due to their similar smaller stature.[43] Hughes played a variety of sports growing up, including ice hockey and baseball.[42] Hughes is Jewish, had a bar mitzvah, and grew up celebrating Passover.[44][45] His mother is Jewish and his father is Catholic,[44][46] and he studied at Iona Catholic Secondary School.[47]

Hughes comes from a family of ice hockey athletes. His older brother, Quinn, was drafted seventh overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks. His younger brother, Luke, was drafted fourth overall by the Devils in the 2021 NHL entry draft.[48] Their father, Jim Hughes, is a former ice hockey player and team captain for Providence College, an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins, and the director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.[49][50] 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.[50] She also played for the United States women's national ice hockey team, and won a silver medal at the 1992 World Championship.[51] His uncle Marty, and his cousin, Teddy Doherty, were also both involved in ice hockey.[51] Marty last played in the British National League for the Dundee Stars,[52] and Teddy last played for the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL.[53]

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
2016–17 Toronto Marlboros GTMMHL 33 23 50 73 4
2016–17 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 9 1 2 3 2
2017–18 U.S. National Development Team USHL 27 21 33 54 10
2018–19 U.S. National Development Team USHL 24 12 36 48 4
2019–20 New Jersey Devils NHL 61 7 14 21 10
2020–21 New Jersey Devils NHL 56 11 20 31 16
2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 49 26 30 56 0
2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 78 43 56 99 6 12 6 5 11 2
2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 62 27 47 74 12
NHL totals 306 114 167 281 44 12 6 5 11 2

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 United States U17   6 5 10 15 2
2018 United States U18   7 5 7 12 2
2019 United States WJC   4 0 4 4 0
2019 United States U18   7 9 11 20 8
2019 United States WC 7th 7 0 3 3 0
Junior totals 24 19 32 51 12
Senior totals 7 0 3 3 0

Awards and honors

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Award Year Ref
USHL
Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award 2018 [4]
NHL
All-Star Game 2022, 2023, 2024 [54][55][29]
EA Sports NHL cover athlete 2025 [56]
International
World U-17 Hockey Challenge – All-Star Team 2017 [57]
World U18 Championship – Tournament MVP 2018 [58]
World U18 Championship – Best Forward 2018
World U18 Championship – Media All-Star Team 2018, 2019 [59][60]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Joyce, Garce (December 26, 2018). "The American Dream". sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  2. ^ Colpitts, Iain (April 8, 2017). "Steelheads gamble on high-end talent Jack Hughes in OHL Draft". mississauga.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Peters, Chris (June 25, 2018). "Why Jack Hughes is the No. 1-ranked 2019 NHL draft prospect". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "NTDP's Jack Hughes named USA Hockey's Junior Player of the Year". mihockey.com. May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "Jack Hughes breaks NTDP points record, Cole Caufield breaks goals record". mihockey.com. March 15, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  6. ^ @BradGalli (March 15, 2019). "Jack Hughes picked up five assists tonight to top Clayton Keller's all-time points record at @USAHockeyNTDP. He did it on the goal his pal Cole Caufield topped the program's all-time goal record" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "Devils take Jack Hughes with No. 1 pick". USA Today. June 21, 2019. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "Devils sign first-overall pick Jack Hughes to entry-level deal". sportsnet.ca. July 12, 2019. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  9. ^ Mallory, Jace (October 17, 2019). "New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes records first NHL point". sportingnews.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  10. ^ "Devils' Jack Hughes gets 1st NHL goal with brother, family watching". espn.com. October 19, 2019. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Kreuz, Julia (October 15, 2021). "Devils' Jack Hughes scores incredible OT goal, tosses stick into crowd". yahoo.com. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  12. ^ Trettenero, Brady (November 17, 2021). "Trevor Zegras scores OT winner, does Jack Hughes' stick toss celebration". ginohard.com. Gino Hard. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Wyshynsky, Greg (February 5, 2022). "NHL All-Star: Here's what you missed from Breakaway Challenge's return". abc7chicago.com. ESPN. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  14. ^ "Hughes Signs Extension with Devils". NHL.com. November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Devils' Jack Hughes to miss rest of season with knee injury". The Athletic. April 5, 2022. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  16. ^ Smith, Alex (January 13, 2022). "Devils' Jack Hughes youngest player named to this year's NHL All-Star Game". sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Chauvancy, Alex (April 14, 2023). "3 Takeaways From Devils' 5–4 OT Win vs. the Capitals". thehockeywriters.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  18. ^ Novozinsky, Ryan (February 4, 2023). "With NHL All-Star weekend over, Devils' Jack Hughes focused on playoff push: 'We're in the thick of a race'". nj.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  19. ^ Zuke, Ryan (April 13, 2023). "Ex-Michigan top-5 pick scores OT winner for first NHL goal". mlive.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  20. ^ Satriano, David (May 2, 2023). "Hughes, Kopitar, Point named Lady Byng Trophy finalists". NHL.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  21. ^ "#NHLStats: Live Updates - April 18, 2023". media.nhl.com. April 18, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  22. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (May 1, 2023). "Schmid, Devils blank Rangers in Game 7, advance past rivals". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (May 12, 2023). "Devils 'gave everything they had' in Game 5". NHL.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  24. ^ @SNstats (October 26, 2023). "Most Recent Players With 17+ Points in Their First 6 Games of a Season: Jack Hughes (2023-24) - 17 Mario Lemieux (1995-96) - 17 Wayne Gretzky (1993-94) - 17 #NJDevils" (Tweet). Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Myers, Tracey (November 7, 2023). "Devils utilizing 'next-man-up mentality' during Jack Hughes' absence". NHL.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  26. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (November 18, 2023). "Jack Hughes returns, scores in New Jersey Devils' 5-3 loss". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Stein, Amanda (December 16, 2023). "Jack Hughes, Devils Deliver Big Win for Dads and Mentors". NHL.com. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  28. ^ "Morning Skate for December 17". NHL.com. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  29. ^ a b "NHL All-Star Game rosters unveiled; Matthews to represent host Maple Leafs". NHL.com. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  30. ^ "Bieber, Arnett, McCrae, Buble named All-Star celebrity captains". NHL.com. January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  31. ^ Morr, Mike G. (January 9, 2024). "Jack Hughes out 'weeks, not months' for Devils with upper-body injury". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  32. ^ "Bratt to replace Devils teammate Hughes on 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend roster". NHL.com. January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  33. ^ "Jack Hughes returns as Devils fall to Flames". ESPN.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Jack Hughes to have season-ending shoulder surgery for Devils". nhl.com. National Hockey League. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  35. ^ Clark, Ryan S. (April 9, 2024). "On eve of shoulder surgery, Devils shut down Jack Hughes". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "2018 WJSS | Jack Hughes". USA Hockey. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  37. ^ Mike G. Morreale (December 23, 2018). "United States finalizes roster for World Junior Championship". NHL.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  38. ^ "Jack Hughes back as U.S. defeats Czechs in world junior hockey quarterfinal". Regina Leader-Post. January 2, 2019. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  39. ^ "NHL Draft 2019: 3 takeaways from Jack Hughes' record-breaking run at U18 World Championships". nj.com. April 29, 2019. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  40. ^ "Top draft prospect Jack Hughes to play for U.S. at world championship". sportsnet.ca. May 1, 2019. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  41. ^ "Devils won't loan Hughes to USA for WJC". tsn.ca. December 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  42. ^ a b Morreale, Mike G. (May 19, 2019). "Hughes, likely No. 1 pick in 2019 NHL Draft, gets big assist from family". nhl.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  43. ^ Fox, Luke (June 20, 2019). "Jack Hughes latest young star to turn to Patrick Kane for mentorship". sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  44. ^ a b "Jack Hughes becomes first Jewish No. 1 pick in NHL draft". Times of Israel. June 26, 2019. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  45. ^ Sidman, David (June 25, 2019). "Jewish Kid Selected Number One Draft Pick in 2019 NHL Draft". Breaking Israel News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  46. ^ Fischler, Stan (June 11, 2019). "Hughes and Kakko provide draft dilemma for Devils and Rangers". msgnetworks.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  47. ^ "SportsXpress Mississauga Spring 2017 by SportsXpress - Issuu". issuu.com. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  48. ^ Kasan, Sam (July 23, 2021). "Luke Hughes Selected by New Jersey with Fourth Pick". NHL.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  49. ^ Mullen, Liz (April 11, 2016). "CAA Hockey adds longtime coaches in staff positions to develop players". sportsbusinessdaily.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  50. ^ a b Krupa, Gregg (January 14, 2018). "Hockey runs deep in Hughes' family bloodline". detroitnews.com. Ann Arbor. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  51. ^ a b Olsen, Becky (December 16, 2015). "Quinn Hughes Follows in Family Footsteps with Hockey". usahockeyntdp.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  52. ^ "Marty Hughes". eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  53. ^ "Teddy Doherty". eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  54. ^ Satriano, David (January 13, 2022). "2022 NHL All-Star Game rosters, captains announced". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on January 14, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  55. ^ Satriano, David (January 5, 2023). "NHL All-Star Game rosters unveiled; Shesterkin among 11 first-time picks". nhl.com.
  56. ^ Clark, Ryan S. (August 22, 2024). "Jack, Luke, Quinn Hughes on NHL 25 cover in first for brothers". ESPN. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  57. ^ "Game Summary - 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  58. ^ "Chelyabinsk & Magnitogorsk, Russia | April 19–29". usahockey.com. USA Hockey. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  59. ^ "Media all stars" (PDF). IIHF. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  60. ^ Aykroyd, Lucas (April 28, 2019). "Caufield Named MVP". iihf.com. IIHF. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by NHL first overall draft pick
2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by New Jersey Devils first round draft pick
2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by EA Sports NHL cover athlete
2025
With: Luke Hughes & Quinn Hughes
Succeeded by
Incumbent