"I am ecstatic for Jack and his entire family," said Devils Managing Partner David Blitzer. "This is a strong commitment from Jack to the organization's future and the New Jersey Devils to Jack. We all know what Jack means to the team on and off the ice- he's an unbelievable player and a fantastic person. His future is incredibly bright and he will be a pillar for our franchise for years to come."
"This deal is fantastic both for Jack and the New Jersey Devils," said Devils Co-Managing Partner Josh Harris. "I know our fans are enthusiastic about our young core as they grow together and look to achieve tremendous levels of success. I want to thank Tom Fitzgerald for his work on getting this deal completed, as he continues to make excellent decisions for this organization that sets us up for the future."
"Today is a big day for the New Jersey Devils," said Fitzgerald. "This contract shows the commitment Jack and his family have made to us, and how the organization- myself, David Blitzer and Josh Harris- are in turn committed to them. We are building something unique and special here, with Jack being a core piece of that. This is just the start of where we believe we can go with this organization, as we work towards sustained success for years to come."
Hughes, 20, will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last 17 games due to a left shoulder dislocation suffered on October 19 against Seattle. The left-handed shot currently has two goals and one assist in two games this year. Hughes is in his third NHL season after New Jersey drafted him first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound. center was the team's second first-overall selection in team history, after New Jersey drafted Nico Hischier No. 1 overall in 2017.
In his first two seasons, along with the two games played this year, he has totaled 55 points (20g-35a) in 119 career contests. Hughes earned 31 of those points in 56 games played in 2020-21, where he scored 11 goals and collected 20 assists. He finished tied for second in the League in takeaways with 56, he was tied for first amongst centers (L. Draisaitl) and finished first at center in takeaways per 60 minutes (3.14). Hughes finished second on the Devils in points last season, and led the club with 142 shots on goal while pacing all forwards with 19:04 ATOI. Additionally, he was the only forward and one of only two New Jersey skaters (D. Severson) who dressed in all 56 games for the team in 2020-21. Last season, he became the 10th teenager in franchise history to earn at least 35 career points prior to turning 20-years-old.
Hughes represented the United States twice at the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) U18 World Junior Championships- 2018 and 2019. The forward was named captain of Team USA in 2019, won a Silver Medal and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after recording 20 points (9g-11a) in seven games played. During the tournament, he passed Alexander Ovechkin for most career points at the IIHF Men's World Under-18 Championship, recording 32 points (14g-18a) in 14 games. Additionally, he played in four games for Team USA at the 2019 U-20 WJC and tallied four assists. Hughes also played in the 2019 World Championship in Slovakia, registering three assists in seven games and became the youngest player ever to suit up for USA Hockey at the senior world championship.
Born May 14, 2001, in Orlando, Florida, Hughes has won multiple awards during his hockey career, including USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year during the 2017-18 season. He played his youth hockey in Toronto with the Toronto Marlboros in the GTMMHL. Jack's younger brother, Luke, was New Jersey's first-round selection, and the fourth-overall choice, in the 2021 NHL Draft. The defenseman is currently playing at the University of Michigan (Big Ten). His older brother, Quinn is a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks.
