Luke Hughes makes strong 1st impression, will 'be a horse' for Devils

NEWARK, N.J. --Jack Hughes had just set a franchise record for points in a season but was still at a loss for words with how loud the ovation was for his little brother, Luke Hughes, in his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Tuesday.

"I think he had a louder ovation than I did when I was introduced as a rookie (Oct. 4, 2019)," Hughes said. "I guess you see where I rank but, man, I'm so proud of him. They eased him into the game, but everyone here knows how special of a player he's going to be when we're competing for [the Stanley Cup] the next couple of years and Luke's 21 or 22 years old.
"He's going to be a horse for us, and as a big brother, and my parents, we're just really proud that he got Game 1 under his belt."
Luke, a defenseman from the University of Michigan, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on Saturday, two days after the Wolverines were eliminated from the NCAA Frozen Four with a 5-2 loss to Quinnipiac University. The 19-year-old joined his brother in the starting lineup against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. He appeared comfortable and confident with two blocked shots, one hit and one takeaway in 11:15 of ice time playing as the seventh defensemen during a 6-2 victory.
He was given a loud ovation, with chants of "Luke" echoing through the arena throughout the game and whenever he touched the puck or made a play.
"It was really cool to see the fans and hear the crowd cheer," Luke said. "Just to hear how loud it was in that place, obviously with 'Jackie' out there, it was pretty cool."
Jack Hughes, a 21-year-old center, scored an empty-net goal at 18:15 of the third period to give him 97 points (43 goals, 54 assists), a new Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts single-season record. Patrik Elias is second with 96 points (2000-01).
"I mean, I just saw that (statistic) after the game and went up to him and told him 'Congrats' and he said congrats to me, too," Luke said. "It's pretty cool. I'll never forget that one and I'm super happy for him. He's had a [heck] of a year and he totally deserves that."

It also marked quite a night for parents Jim and Ellen Hughes, who were in attendance to witness it all. Jack was asked how he thought his parents would celebrate.
"They'll be sitting on the couch watching Quinn starting his game with [the Vancouver Canucks]," Jack said with a grin. Vancouver defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Tuesday.
Jack's older brother, Quinn Hughes, is a 23-year-old defenseman selected by the Canucks in the first round (No. 7) of the 2018 NHL Draft. Jack was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Luke, selected No. 4 in the 2021 NHL Draft, turned pro after two seasons at Michigan, where he had 87 points (27 goals, 60 assists) in 80 games. He had 48 points (10 goals, 38 assists) in 39 games as a sophomore to help the Wolverines go 26-12-3 and reach the Frozen Four for the second straight season.
"I haven't talked to my parents yet, but I think it's a dedication to them with how hard they've worked, how they brought us up," Luke said. "Having three kids in the NHL now with my debut is pretty special for them too."
Jack said, "What an accomplishment for our parents. Three boys playing in the show. That's hard work, man. It just shows how well of a job they did for us as people, first, but as players as well."
Devils coach Lindy Ruff was impressed with how poised Luke looked and said he might play again this season. New Jersey (51-22-8), which secured home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, visits the Washington Capitals in the regular-season finale Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, MSGSN, ESPN+, SN NOW).
"He had an understanding that we play a little bit differently," Ruff said. "I thought his puck-moving was crisp, that first pass that you always look at leaving the zone was good. I thought he skated well. As a defenseman, play well inside your zone, make that first pass, join if you can join, stay in control if there's nothing there. ... I thought he checked all the boxes."
Jack said the sky's the limit for his brother now that he's played an NHL game.
"He probably thinks he could have done more, but that's a really good start for him," he said. "I think he should just be really proud of himself that he's in the NHL. We don't know where he'll go. ... He could be one of the best defensemen in the League in a few years."