Where is Jack Hughes from?

Jack Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida, though he spent most of his childhood growing up in Toronto. The Hughes family moved to Michigan when he was in high school so he could further develop his hockey skills as a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP).

What was Jack Hughes’ childhood like growing up in a hockey family?

Hughes barely had mastered walking by the time he learned to skate around age 2. He and his two brothers, Quinn and Luke, spent many hours skating on outdoor rinks together and playing mini-sticks in their basement.

It’s no surprise that Hughes wound up in the NHL, as his parents deeply are engrained in the hockey community to this day. His mom Ellen played college hockey at the University of New Hampshire and has represented Team USA both on and off the ice, currently as a player development consultant. His dad Jim, a former player at Providence College, has served on the coaching staff for teams across numerous professional hockey leagues, including the Boston Bruins, and also was the Director of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

When did Jack Hughes start playing hockey?

Hughes first began playing organized hockey when he was about 5 years old. 

Where did Jack Hughes play youth and development hockey?

When he was living in Toronto, Hughes played minor league hockey for the Mississauga Rebels and the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. After the family moved to Michigan, he joined the USNTDP, where he spent two seasons. 

How old is Jack Hughes in 2026?

Hughes was born on May 14, 2001, and will be 24 years old at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

What position does Jack Hughes play?

Hughes primarily is a center, though he also is capable of shifting to the wing. At the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hughes switched positions and spent some time skating on the wing of Auston Matthews. 

What is Jack Hughes’ career timeline with the New Jersey Devils?

Hughes has spent each of his seven NHL seasons with the New Jersey Devils, beginning with the 2019-20 season. In 2022, his third year in the NHL, Hughes was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time, where he scored three goals in two games.  He would make another All-Star Game appearance the following season. For his performance during the 2022-23 season, when he broke the Devils’ record for most points in a season, Hughes was nominated for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the player who shows great sportsmanship combined with a high level of skill. He finished second in voting to 2014 Olympian Anze Kopitar. 

What year was Jack Hughes drafted into the NHL?

Hughes was drafted into the NHL in 2019. 

What pick was Jack Hughes in the 2019 NHL Draft?

Hughes was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Devils at the 2019 NHL Draft, joining Switzerland’s Nico Hischier as the only players in franchise history to be selected first overall. 

How old was Jack Hughes when he made his NHL debut?

Hughes was 18 years old at the time of his NHL debut. He recorded his first point in his seventh game played, which made him the third-youngest Devils player in history to hit the scoresheet. 

What are Jack Hughes’ NHL stats and milestones?

Through 385 games, Hughes has recorded 151 goals and 220 assists for a total of 371 points. Hughes had his career-best season in 2022-23, when he tallied 43 goals and 56 assists for a total of 99 points. That set a new franchise record for most points in a single season dating back to the franchise’s inception in 1974. 

Has Jack Hughes played in the NHL All-Star Game?

Hughes has played in two All-Star Games (2022, 2023). During the 2024 All-Star Game, he and his brother Quinn served as the co-captains of Team Hughes, though Jack did not participate due to an injury and stayed behind the bench during the event.

What makes Jack Hughes one of the top young players in the NHL?

Hughes is considered an elite forward thanks to his combination of agility, vision, and creativity that allows him to make innovative plays with a high level of difficulty. He also scores at a very consistent pace, averaging more than a point per game over the past four seasons, making him a driving force of offense. 

How much does Jack Hughes make per year with his contract?

Hughes earns $8 million per year under his current contract, which was signed before the start of the 2022-23 NHL season and will expire in the summer of 2030. 

What records did Jack Hughes set with the NTDP?

During the 2018-19 season, Hughes broke the NTDP record for most points which stands today at 228. Hughes also holds the record for most assists all time with 154. Previously, he set a new benchmark for most assists in a single season with 76 in 2017-18, then broke his own record with 78 assists the following year. However, this record was surpassed by Gabe Perreault in 2023. 

How did Jack Hughes perform at the IIHF U18 World Championship?

Hughes earned recognition for his performance at the IIHF U18 World Championship in 2018, where he was named the tournament MVP, best forward of the tournament, and chosen for the All-Star team by members of the media. He led all skaters with 12 points in seven games as the U.S. secured silver. 

How did Jack Hughes compare to other top prospects in his draft year?

Entering the 2019 NHL Draft, Hughes was ranked No. 1 among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. During the year leading up to the draft, “Lose for Hughes” began trending on social media as fans across the NHL hoped their team would finish low enough in the standings to win the draft lottery and select Hughes with the first overall pick. 

Did Jack Hughes play college hockey before joining the NHL?

Unlike his brothers Quinn and Luke, who both skated for the University of Michigan, Jack did not play college hockey and instead went directly to the NHL. 

What are Jack Hughes’ hobbies outside hockey?

Off the ice, Hughes is an avid reader and often competes with his brother Quinn to see who can read more books throughout the hockey season. He and his brother Luke also recently launched “Hughes Brothers’ Pucks & Pages,” an initiative which aims to support literacy among youth in New Jersey. 

Do Jack Hughes’ brothers (Quinn and Luke Hughes) also play in the NHL?

Yes, Jack and the youngest Hughes brother Luke are teammates on the New Jersey Devils. The eldest brother Quinn is the captain of the Vancouver Canucks. Both Quinn and Luke play defense, while Jack is a forward. 

Has Jack Hughes been featured on the cover of the EA Sports NHL video game?

Hughes was the cover athlete for NHL 25. The deluxe edition of the video game featured all three Hughes brothers. 

Who was Jack Hughes’ favorite hockey player growing up?

Hughes has said 2010 Olympic silver medalist Patrick Kane was his favorite player growing up because of their similar stature and playing style.