NEWARK, N.J. --Quinn Hughes is hoping for his first win against his brother, Jack Hughes, when the Vancouver Canucks play the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; SNP, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Quinn Hughes tries for first win with Canucks against Jack, Devils
20-year-old center has defeated 22-year-old defenseman three times, twice in NHL
"I think I'm 0-3 against him and 0-2 against in the NHL, so it's kind of a problem," said Quinn, a 22-year-old defenseman. "Especially tonight. We need points so bad right now, so it's not as much about changing the narrative but more we need to keep climbing the ladder.
"But it'd be nice to hopefully be 1-3 after tonight. We got some of those side bets going on. I think we wanted to get a little painting we've been talking about for the house (in Michigan), so I think the loser is going to pay for it."
Quinn and Jack, a 20-year-old center, were teammates for the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2019 IIHF World Championship. They went head-to-head Oct. 12, 2018, when Jack scored three points (one goal, two assists) for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team in a 6-3 win against Quinn and the University of Michigan at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"Obviously, tonight's another great opportunity to pad my lead, so we'll see how it goes," Jack said. "But it's important for the Devils and it's extremely important for the Canucks. We're both looking for a win."
Parents Jim and Ellen Hughes are expected to be in attendance.
"I haven't spoken to [my parents]," Jack said. "So I don't know who they're rooting for."
Jack, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, scored his first NHL goal against Quinn and the Canucks in a 1-0 win on Oct. 19, 2019 to become the ninth player in NHL history to do so in a game against his brother.
"He's the older brother and I'm sure it's like this in every house," Jack said. "He was my first role model just because I followed everything he did, and I learned a lot from him. It's pretty funny that we are where we are now, and I think everyone will enjoy watching us play."
Quinn, who is 19 months older than Jack, had an assist in their second game Nov. 10, 2019, when New Jersey defeated Vancouver 2-1. The No. 7 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft said he saw the relationship with his brother a bit differently.
"I never really tried to set an example; I was just always myself and I never really looked at it as an older brother," Quinn said. "I just looked at it as if they were my friends and I've always felt like me and Jack were the same age because most of my friends are his friends and vice versa.
"This year, I think [Jack's] just kind of taken off a bit. He's playing like a star in the League right now and he's become one. For us, tonight, he's going to be a real focal point."
Jack, the youngest player at the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game, is second on the Devils with NHL career highs in goals (15), assists (21) and points (36) points in 32 games. Quinn is second on the Canucks with 41 points (four goals, 37 assists) in 50 games, 18 behind forward J.T. Miller.
The brothers look forward to when 18-year-old defenseman Luke Hughes, who is 28 months younger than Jack, joins them in the NHL. Luke, chosen by the Devils with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has scored 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 34 games as a freshman for Michigan this season.
"He's playing crazy good," Quinn said of Luke. "I think the Devils are going to be lucky to have him. I think that when he comes in, he's going to really help that team so much ... they're going to look like a different team with him. He's got 16 goals. I had five as a freshman at Michigan and five more my sophomore year, so that just shows you the type of year he's having. He's probably having a better year than I had my freshman year."
Jack said he knows it's a matter of time before the New Jersey-Vancouver matchup takes on greater meaning with Luke involved.
"It'll be extremely special and once it gets to that point (when Luke reaches the NHL), it'll be a lot of fun," Jack said. "Hopefully, a year or two down the road, this game will have the three of us in it. It'd be a lot of fun for my parents."
