Might prime prospect Luke Hughes quickly be becoming a member of his brother, Jack, on the Devils?
“I believe Luke would like to play with Jack,” 2019 Rangers seventh-round decide Eric Ciccolini, who educated with Jack in Toronto, advised The Submit. “As we’ve got seen prior to now within the NHL, it’s at all times cool seeing brothers play collectively and I’m positive it might be one thing particular if Luke goes to the Devils.”
The Devils have the No. 4 decide within the draft, and Luke, 17, is ranked No. 4 in NHL Central Scouting’s rating of North American skaters. Luke is hoping 4 is the magic quantity, and the Devils name his title Friday night time on the 2021 NHL Draft (8 p.m., ESPN2).
“It might be unbelievable to go to the Devils,” Luke, a defenseman dedicated to the College of Michigan, advised the media on a pre-draft convention name. “Jack clearly desires me to be there. It might be tremendous cool to play with him, and I’d love that. However on the similar time, there’s 32 nice groups on the market, and I’d be blissful to go to any a kind of groups.”
In 2021, the Devils surrendered 189 targets in 56 video games, the fifth-most in hockey. Members of the group have had conversations with Luke because the crew explores the potential of deciding on him to enhance their protection.
“I’ve talked to the Devils just a few instances and the conversations went nicely,” Luke stated. “I’ve been to the rink, I do know the franchise fairly nicely. Jack loves it in New Jersey. It’s a very cool rink, actually cool fan base. That will surely be thrilling, however like I stated, there’s 32 nice groups on the market.”
If Luke is drafted by the Devils, it might assist the brothers grow to be even nearer. Luke — who watches Devils video games at any time when he doesn’t have one among his personal — would get a front-row seat to see his brother on the ice.
“The Hughes brothers are actually tight,” Ciccolini stated. “They’re at all times feeding off one another and particularly in Luke’s scenario, he has seen his brothers develop and be taught a lot from them. Watching all three of them in minor hockey was one thing particular as a result of they have been at all times the highest gamers to look out for.”
The Hughes title is turning into NHL royalty. Defenseman Quinn Hughes — the oldest brother — was drafted seventh total by the Canucks in 2018 and Jack was drafted first total by the Devils in 2019. They’re matching the spectacular legacy of their mother and father — Jim launched into a protracted skilled hockey profession and Ellen received a silver medal with the U.S. on the 1992 IIHF Ice Hockey Ladies’s World Championship.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Luke was residence together with his household, and considered it as a present (“We are going to in all probability by no means get time with one another like that ever once more,” Luke stated.), soaking of their recommendation as he ready for the NHL.
“They type of taught me going into the 12 months that it’s important to be prepared for all the pieces,” Luke stated. “There can’t be too many highs and lows. You need to keep stage headed.”
Final 12 months, nonetheless, did function some highs and lows. Luke scored 34 factors in 38 video games with USA’s under-18 crew, however suffered a lacerated tendon to his foot on March 7. The 6-foot-2, 176-pound prospect plans on being on the ice for the U.S. on the weeklong World Junior Summer time Showcase, which begins Saturday, after practically making a full restoration.
“I’ve been skating for 5 weeks now, I’ve been figuring out for like eight or 9,” Luke stated. “I really feel actually good. I’m virtually one hundred pc, simply attempting to get my timing and stuff again. Completed rehab and there’s no drawback with the toe. It feels nice and I’ll be able to go.”
Luke can also be able to be drafted Friday night time. And whereas his brothers might quickly be his competitors, Luke will not be going to match himself to them — as a result of the trio will at all times be on Staff Hughes.
“I believe each my brothers are actually good gamers and all three of us are going to be actually good gamers when it’s all stated and completed, so it’s not honest to me to [compare],” Luke stated.
