Luke Hughes Secures $63 Million Deal Amid Injury and Olympic Absence

NEWARK (Azat TV) – Luke Hughes, the promising American defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, solidified his long-term future with the team by signing a substantial seven-year, $63 million contract in October 2025. This significant commitment from the Devils underscores their faith in the young blueliner’s potential, even as he navigates a current shoulder injury and watches his older brothers compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Hughes’s Journey to a Landmark Deal

Hughes, the youngest of three prominent hockey-playing brothers, was drafted fourth overall by the Devils in 2021. After spending two seasons at the University of Michigan, he made his NHL debut in 2023. His first full professional season in 2023-24 saw him earn a spot on the all-rookie team, showcasing flashes of the talent that led to his high draft selection. However, his initial professional seasons have been marked by a period of adjustment, as he has reportedly struggled to consistently find his footing in the demanding NHL.

The seven-year, $63 million contract, signed late last year, signals the Devils’ strategic investment in Hughes as a foundational piece of their franchise. The deal locks him in alongside his brother, Jack Hughes, who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and has established himself as one of the league’s top forwards.

Current Status and Olympic Absence

Currently, Luke Hughes is on long-term injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, a setback that has sidelined him during a critical part of the season. This injury also prevented him from joining his brothers, Quinn and Jack, on the United States men’s national hockey team for the 2026 Winter Olympics. While Quinn and Jack are making headlines in Milan Cortina, with Quinn scoring a game-winning overtime goal against Sweden in the quarterfinals, Luke has been relegated to cheering them on via social media.

Quinn Hughes, the eldest brother, born in 1999, was drafted seventh overall in 2018. After a successful tenure with the Vancouver Canucks, where he won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 as the NHL’s best defenseman, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild in December 2025. Jack Hughes, born in 2001, skipped college to join the Devils directly after his draft, quickly becoming a central figure for the team despite dealing with injuries throughout the early part of his career.

The Hughes Hockey Legacy Extends Beyond the Ice

The Hughes family boasts a deep hockey lineage. Their father, Jim Hughes, played college hockey and later served as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, is a highly decorated hockey player herself, having won a silver medal with the United States women’s hockey team at the 1992 World Championships. She currently serves as a player development consultant for the U.S. Women’s ice hockey team, contributing to their gold medal wins in 2023 and 2025.

Beyond their on-ice achievements, Luke and Jack Hughes have also engaged in community initiatives. They launched the ‘Pucks & Pages’ reading program with the Devils, which supplies books to youth hockey players in New Jersey. This program, which began in the fall of last year, aims to foster a love for reading among young athletes.

The New Jersey Devils’ long-term investment in Luke Hughes, despite his early career struggles and current injury, signals a profound belief in his untapped potential and his role as a cornerstone for the franchise alongside his brother, Jack. This commitment highlights a strategic decision to build around core talent, anticipating future contributions rather than solely reflecting immediate success.