Jack Hughes (born 14.5.2001) is an American ice hockey center. He was drafted 1st overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft. His first season with the Devils was on 2019-20 season.

Early Career

Jack Hughes was so good at junior level that he applied for exceptional status to enter CHL a year early – somehow his application was denied, and he played one more year with Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL. Next season Hughes was drafted by Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL, but Hughes selected to play wit U.S National Team Development Program (USNTDP). He splits his time with U17 and U18 team and put up 116 points. After season 2017-18, Hughes was awarded the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award as the best American-born junior player in ice hockey. In 2018-19 season, Hughes broke old USNTDP all-time points record – he made 190 points overall.

New Jersey Devils

On 21.6.2019 Jack Hughes was selected 1st overall by New Jersey Devils in 2019 NHL Draft. On 12.7.2019 Hughes signed three-year entry level contract with the Devils. Hughes played 61 games and made 21 (7+14) point in his first season with the Devils. Hughes and the Devils missed the NHL playoffs.

International Play

Jack Hughes played twice with Team USA in the IIHF World U18 Ice Hockey Championships (2018 and 2019). In the 2018 championships, he was tournament MVP, he was named to the All-star team and he was the best scorer of the tournament – Team USA won silver medals. In the 2019 championships, USA won bronze medals and Hughes broke old record of scored goals by Alexander Ovechkin – Hughes made nine goals. Hughes played along his brother Quinn in 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships – Team USA lost to Team Finland in the gold medal match. Hughes was selected in the 2019 IIHF World Championships – he became the youngest player (17 years) to represent USA at the World Championships.

Other interesting stuff

Hughes comes from true ice hockey family – his older brother, Quinn, was drafted 7th overall by Vancouver Canucks in 2018 NHL draft. His younger brother Luke plays for the U.S National development U17 Team and he is next NHL prospect of the family.