The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship is scheduled in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick, from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. Today, we feature United States captain, and New Jersey Devils defenseman prospect Luke Hughes.
Luke Hughes has one last chance to do something neither of his NHL-playing brothers could with the United States — win a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
“We hope it happens,” said his brother, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes. “We need a World Junior gold in our household, so we’d love to see him bring it home, and it’d be really special for the Americans.”
Quinn Hughesa defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks, helped the US finish third in 2018 and second in 2019. Jack played with Quinn on the 2019 team.
Luke, selected no. 4 by the Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft and a sophomore defenseman at the University of Michigan, will do all he can to make it happen while keeping focus on the big picture as US captain.
“It’d be really cool … my dad keeps all of our memorabilia, and I think that’d be awesome,” Luke said. “But more importantly, I think it’s bigger than me and this team. We’re representing our country and our jersey, so it starts with building, getting tight, learning the systems, and getting better every day. I’ll worry about that other stuff later on.”
The 2023 WJC will be held in Moncton and Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. The United States will play in Group B in the preliminary round, along with Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia and Latvia. Group A consists of Canada, the defending champion, along with Sweden, Czechia, Germany and Austria.
Hughes is laser-focused on the task at hand entering the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. He represented his country at the 2022 tournament in August and had six points (one goal, five assists), becoming the first of the siblings to score at the WJC.
“We talk about the skating, but it’s also the mindset that Luke Hughes has,” TSN director of scouting and former NHL general manager Craig Button said. “It’s that ability to recognize [and say], ‘I can make the difference and I want to make the difference.’ He’s a great competitor to go along with those great skills, and he wants to be a difference-maker in the game. That’s what stars do, and certainly I see Luke Hughes as a star for the New Jersey Devils in the years to come.”
Reid Cashman, an assistant coach for the US with a focus on defense, said it didn’t take long to understand Hughes’ makeup.
“He’s made it a point to make sure our Michigan guys weren’t sitting with Michigan guys and our Minnesota guys weren’t with just Minnesota guys,” Cashman said. “He’s made sure it was Team USA at the meals. He’s asking questions that maybe other guys are thinking and he probably knows the answer, so it’s in line to talking to teammates and helping each other so that we’re all on the same page. . Luke’s been very influential.”
Hughes has 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and is plus-6 in 20 games with Michigan this season. After finishing as the nation’s top-scoring defenseman with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 41 games and being named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in NCAA Division 1 men’s ice hockey last season, he’s expected to turn professional after his college season.
“Special player, special person,” Michigan interim coach Brandon Naurato said. “He’s learning how to lead off the ice as a younger player. I think he’s done a better job of creating a routine for himself of great habits, and he’s really enjoying and embracing the college experience.”
Naurato said he has seen improvement in his standout defenseman since the start of the season.
“He was very reactive when he started as an elite talent, but I think he’s getting better having a plan on reading situations to open up and, rather than just beating the player, take option two or three,” Naurato said. “When he’s walking the blue line, he had something in his head, and he was just going to do it; now he’s got something in his head, but he’s reading the pressure and then making the next play based on what’s given versus forcing it.” “
US defenseman Seamus Casey (Devils) and forward Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets) have had an up-close view of the impact of Hughes as teammates at Michigan.
“His skating is off the charts, and he’s got confidence and swagger out there,” Casey said. “He can kind of make any play and he does it with confidence.”
McGroarty said, “There’s been a couple of times where Luke beats the first guy, beats the second guy and I’m just sitting there thinking, ‘I’m witnessing greatness here.'”
Hughes will likely begin his pursuit of a gold medal paired with a left-handed shooter Jack Peart (Minnesota Wild), who has 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 18 games for St. Cloud State this season.
“He knows what’s up, he’s been there before, he’s done it and knows what’s going on,” Jack Hughes said. “But it’s his last experience at the World Juniors. It’s not like one of those world tournaments where you get to go back and play. It’ll be the last time he’s eligible, so go enjoy it and try to bring home a medal for the US”
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