Luke Hughes to make Devils debut against Sabres
Defenseman, No. 4 pick in 2021 draft, is brother of New Jersey center Jack
"I'm just focusing on playing my game," he said Tuesday. "I've been building and working hard to be here, so I believe in myself, and think my game's ready."
The 19-year-old defenseman signed a three-year, entry-level contract Saturday, two days after the University of Michigan was eliminated in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Selected No. 4 by the Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft, Hughes was a healthy scratch for a 2-1 loss at the Boston Bruins that night.
Hughes is the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers, including Devils center Jack Hughes, 21, and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, 23.
Jack is in his fourth NHL season after being selected by New Jersey with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Quinn is in his fifth NHL season after he was the No. 7 pick by Vancouver in the 2018 NHL Draft.
"We all knew he was going to get his first game at some point and I think it's great," Jack told NHL.com. "He's put in a lot of work to get here and our team put in a lot of work to get here as well."
The Devils (50-22-8) enter Tuesday one point behind the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the Metropolitan Division and one point ahead of the third-place New York Rangers.
"So it's an important game and we love that he's in at a crucial time and can start to enjoy playing in the League," Jack said. "I'm excited for him and really looking forward to it."
After practice on Monday, Luke said he feels ready.
"They definitely didn't pick me fourth overall because of my brother, so I'm my own man," Luke said. "The guys have been great, [general manager] Tom Fitzgerald has been great, the coaching staff has been great with me. It's been very exciting to be in here and I feel I am ready and prepared if they do give me games, or a game, to earn my role."
Coach Lindy Ruff said he gave Luke some advice Monday.
"I had a short meeting with him yesterday. I told him to just enjoy it," Ruff said. "It's a moment you've been waiting for, probably since you put skates on, as a young man. He's gone through a college career, just came off an exciting round in the Final Four. Now the next challenge is in front of him, so enjoy it. Play your game."
Ruff had a little initiation prepared for Luke, forcing him to score into an empty net from behind the opposite goal line near the end of practice. If he missed, his teammates had to skate the length of the ice and back. Hughes scored on his fourth attempt.
"I felt bad for the guys who had to do a little skate because of that, so I owe them one," Hughes said.
Ruff had a different version of the story.
"[Luke] actually told me that he thought the guys were a little out of shape and they needed a little extra skate, so he missed on purpose," Ruff said, tongue in cheek. "He said, 'I'm just going to keep missing until the team gets in better shape.'"
Ruff was impressed by Hughes' ability to pick up the NHL pace so soon after joining the team.
"I thought it was a good practice; a lot of what we expected," he said. "He's a good skater. We had some drills where you really get to watch him. I thought he handled the pace of play. I think probably if you asked him, he's probably not used to that type of speed. But for the most part I thought he handled everything well."
Hughes was asked about handling an NHL practice compared to college.
"I think college prepared me very well with the pace of practice," he said Monday. "I think just the intensity is a little ramped up here and I'm very prepared for that."
Michigan's season ended with a 5-2 loss to Quinnipiac University in the NCAA Frozen Four on Thursday. Quinnipiac won the national championship two days later, 3-2 in overtime against the University of Minnesota.
"It was a really disappointing end to that season; I don't think we really expected an ending like that, but at the end of the day we had such a special group and one game doesn't define that team," Hughes said. "I was super proud of our guys. We did some pretty special things for the culture at Michigan. Winning two Big Ten championships and getting to two Frozen Fours is a big deal. I was just proud of the guys."
Hughes had 48 points (10 goals, 38 assists) in 39 games this season, tied for the lead among NCAA defensemen, and he was selected to the All-Big Ten First-Team.
He also had five points (four goals, one assist) in seven games and was the captain for the United States when it won the bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
In two NCAA seasons he had 87 points (27 goals, 60 assists) in 80 games and helped Michigan reach the Frozen Four in each season.
"It's a big moment for the young man," Rupp said, "and I'm excited to see him get his opportunity and he's excited to be in the lineup."
