| Luke Hughes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
_(1).jpg) Hughes with theNew Jersey Devils in 2023 | |||
| Born | (2003-09-09)September 9, 2003 (age 22) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 198 lb (90 kg; 14 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 professionalice hockey player who is adefenseman for theNew Jersey Devils of theNational Hockey League (NHL). He playedcollege ice hockey for two years with theUniversity of Michigan of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), reaching the Frozen Four both seasons. He was selected fourth overall by the Devils in the2021 NHL entry draft.
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Hughes committed to playcollege ice hockey for theUniversity of Michigan during the2021–22 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 behindMatty 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 surpassedDean Turner's freshman defenseman record of 13 set in 1975–76, and he passedJack 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 TenFreshman Team, theAll-Big Ten Second Team and was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year.[4] He was also named anAHCAWest Second Team All-American.[5]
During the2022–23 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 theBig Ten Player of the Year andBig Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was named to theAll-Big Ten First Team.[6] He was also named an AHCAWest First Team All-American.[7]
He was considered a top prospect for the2021 NHL entry draft.[8] On July 23, 2021, Hughes was drafted fourth overall by theNew Jersey Devils in the 2021 draft.[9]
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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 theBuffalo 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 theWashington Capitals.[13] Hughes made his playoffs debut on May 7, at home against theCarolina Hurricanes, assisting on two goals in an 8–4, Game 3 win for the Devils.[14]
During the2023–24 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 theNew York Rangers, he recorded 32:49 minutes on ice and surpassed 24 minutes on 13 separate occasions.[15] His 47 points were tied withBrock 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 theCalder Memorial Trophy[16] and was voted unanimously to theAll-Rookie Team.[17]
On October 1, 2025, before the start of the2025–26 season, Hughes signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Devils as a pendingrestricted free agent.[18]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing United States | ||
| Men'sice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
 | 2023 Canada | |
Hughes represented theUnited States at the2019 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded one goal and three assists in six games and won a silver medal.[19]
On May 5, 2022, Hughes was named to theUnited States men's national ice hockey team to compete at the2022 IIHF World Championship.[20] He recorded one goal and three assists in ten games.[21]
On December 12, 2022, Hughes was named to theUnited States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[22] 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.[23]
Hughes made his second World Championship appearance at the2024 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.[24]
Hughes comes from an ice hockey-playing family. His father, Jim Hughes, is a former player and team captain forProvidence College, an assistant coach for theBoston Bruins, and director of player development for theToronto Maple Leafs.[25][26] His mother,Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, played ice hockey, lacrosse, and soccer at theUniversity of New Hampshire and, in 2012, was inducted into the University of New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame.[26] She also played for theUnited States women's national ice hockey team, and won a silver medal at the1992 World Championship.[27]
Hughes has two older brothers,Quinn, andJack. Quinn was drafted seventh overall by theVancouver Canucks in the2018 NHL entry draft, while Jack was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the2019 NHL entry draft.[28] His mother isJewish and his father isCatholic.[29]
| 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 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 71 | 7 | 37 | 44 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 155 | 17 | 76 | 93 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | United States | U17 |  | 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 |  | 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 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 (deluxe edition) 2025 With:Jack Hughes andQuinn Hughes | Succeeded by |