Jack Hughes is a young, promising hockey player who was selected with the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. Hughes came into the NHL with high expectations, and he has been working to meet them ever since.
Hughes began his career with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, where he set records for assists (154) and points (228) in 110 games over two seasons. He was one of only five players from the program to be selected first overall, joining the likes of Auston Matthews, Patrick Kane, Erik Johnson, and Rick DiPietro.
In his rookie season with the Devils, Hughes played in 61 games and scored 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) before the 2019-20 season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the interruption, Hughes continued to develop his game and improve his skills.
In the 2021-22 season, Hughes came into his own, scoring 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in just 49 games. He also scored his first NHL hat trick in a game against the Washington Capitals, giving coach Lindy Ruff his 800th victory.
At just 21 years and 196 days old, Hughes became the eighth-youngest player in Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts history to get a hat trick. It was also the 13th natural hat trick in franchise history and the first since Brian Boyle in 2018.
Hughes' success is not limited to the NHL, either. He led the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) for the United States, who finished third.
Three-game, five-point streak for Jack Hughes
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes has been on a roll lately, with a three-game, five-point streak that has helped propel his team to victory. In their recent game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 26, 2023, Hughes proved once again why he is one of the most exciting young players in the NHL.
During the game, Jack Hughes was a force to be reckoned with, scoring a goal and adding an assist in the Devils' dominant 7-0 win over the Flyers. His goal came in the second period, at the 8:35 mark, when he took a long clearing pass from Jonas Siegenthaler and broke away from the Flyers defense. With a quick backhander, Hughes found the back of the net, scoring his fourth goal of the season.
But Jack Hughes' contributions to the team didn't end there. He added an assist on one of the Devils' other goals, bringing his point total for the game to two. This marks the third consecutive game in which Hughes has registered at least one point, and his five-point streak is an impressive feat for any hockey player.
Throughout the streak, Jack Hughes has notched one goal and four assists, showcasing his ability to both score and set up his teammates for success. His strong play has been a major factor in the Devils' recent success, as the team has won all three games during Hughes' streak.