Devils rookie Luke Hughes faces high hopes, family legacy - ESPN

NEWARK, N.J. — Hockey world domination wasn't something the Hughes brothers discussed all that much while growing up.

«You don't even talk about it. You're in the basement playing mini-sticks and it's inconceivable,» Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils said. «To get one kid into the NHL is really hard. To get three kids into the NHL as teenagers? It's crazy.»

But as the 2023-24 season begins, the Hughes brotherhood is set to take over the NHL.

Defenseman Quinn Hughes, 23, enters his sixth season after scoring at nearly a point-per-game pace in 2022-23, having been named the new captain of the Vancouver Canucks last month. Jack Hughes, 22, posted 99 points last season and led the Devils to their first postseason series win since 2012. Jack's sibling teammate Luke Hughes, 20, made his NHL debut during that Devils playoff run and is poised to play a key role as a puck-moving defenseman during his rookie season.

«You knew the day was coming when Luke got drafted, but now it's here,» Jack said. «If someone told us this would happen when we were kids, we'd never believe them. This is definitely a dream come true.»

«It's pretty surreal that I get to play with my brother,» Jack added. «It should be a blast.»

His enthusiasm was evident from the moment the Devils drafted Luke in 2021. New Jersey had the fourth overall pick. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL draft was held remotely, which meant the Hughes family could gather together to watch the selections.

When Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald read out «Luke Hughes» as their pick, Jack jumped off the couch and hugged his brother, his body literally vibrating with excitement.

Luke didn't see that viral clip until after the draft.

«We were really excited, just because of the odds.