Hughes, who plays for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, was injured March 7 during the second period of a 5-4 shootout win against Chicago of the United States Hockey League. Hughes finished the game, including going second in the shootout.
A few days later, while the NTDP season was paused due to COVID-19 protocol, the 17-year-old was evaluated and decided to have surgery. He is working out off the ice.
"It was heartbreaking for him because he could skate, he could do everything right, and it had nothing to do with his athleticism," said Jim Hughes, Luke's father. "We had to step in as parents and just get this right (with the surgery). He's doing great, he's walking, he's at the gym, and he'll be back skating by the end of May."
Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said he believes Hughes played enough games this season to show scouts he should follow his brothers as top NHL draft picks.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes was chosen with the No. 7 pick of the 2018 NHL Draft, and New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes was selected with the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.
The 2021 draft is scheduled for July 23-24.
"Luke Hughes is one of the top prospects in the 2021 draft class, and while it's unfortunate that he will not be competing in the IIHF U-18 World Championship, he has played an almost complete season of games and has been well scouted," Marr said. "This injury will not have any significant bearing on his draft ranking, and he is expected to make a full recovery in time for offseason training as he prepares to join University of Michigan."
Hughes finished the season with 34 points (six goals, 28 assists) in 38 games. He will not play for the United States at the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, which begins April 26 in Texas.
"It's heartbreaking because everything's about the U-18 World Championship with your two-year (NTDP) program, but he'll be rooting the guys on and watching every second of it," said Ellen Hughes, Luke's mother.
Luke Hughes will skate and train at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, from June through August in preparation for his freshman season at the University of Michigan in the fall.
---
Listen: New episode of NHL Draft Class
