Hangin’ out with … Jack Hughes

Jack Hughes was the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NYHJ’s Leo Scaglione Jr. checks in with New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, the top pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Key facts

Teams: New Jersey Devils, U.S. NTDP
Hometown: Orlando, Fla. | Pos.: Center | Shoots: Left | Size: 5-10, 170 | Age: 18
Notable: Selected first overall by Devils in 2019 NHL draft. Set record for most points in U.S. NTDP history with 228 by totaling 112 points (34-78-112) in 50 games this past season with U-18 team after notching 48 points (13-35-48) in 24 contests with the U-17 club and 68 points (27-41-68) in 36 matches with the U-18 squad during 2017-18. Registered three assists in seven games at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where as a 17-year-old he became the youngest player ever to suit up for Team USA at the senior world championship.

Favorites

Pregame meal: Steak and rice
Movie: “That’s My Boy”
Actors: Adam Sandler, Margot Robbie
TV show: “Prison Break”
Musician: Florida Georgia Line
Non-hockey athlete: Tiger Woods or LeBron James
Sport other than hockey: Golf
Vacation spot: “My lake house in New Hampshire.”
Road rink while playing at U.S. NTDP: “We played in a pretty sweet one 
in Russia last year. That was pretty cool.”
Type of goal: “One on two. Split the ‘D.’ Backhand, upstairs, bar down. That’s a pretty good one.”

Equipment

Helmet: Bauer
Stick: Bauer
Gloves: Bauer
Skates: CCM

Your older brother, Quinn, was selected by the Vancouver Canucks seventh overall in the 2018 National Hockey League draft and made his NHL debut this past season. Your younger brother, Luke, is headed to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program next season. What are your favorite memories growing up with them? “My favorite is being at the rinks with them. That’s where we spent most of our time. It was awesome with them. We were always busy, playing a lot of hockey. It was a lot of fun with them.”

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received when it comes to hockey? “It’s to always have fun and work hard on the ice. Those are the two biggest things we’ve prided ourselves on, and that’s been our motto all the way up.”

When you look at the entire draft experience, from being the top prospect to being selected first overall when the New Jersey Devils picked you in June, what have you learned about yourself? “I’ve just grown over time. My hockey mind has expanded. And off the ice, I’ve become more mature and see the bigger picture. I’ve developed pretty well over the last couple of years.”

What has been your favorite moment since the Devils drafted you? “It’s definitely draft weekend, celebrating with friends and family. That was unbelievable. Right at the moment when your name gets called, it’s a feeling like nothing else. Hugging my brothers, my grandma, my parents (Jim and Ellen) — it’s a surreal feeling. You kind of live it over in your head hundreds of times.”

You have the power right now to put a smile on a lot of people’s faces across every age group by taking photos with them, signing autographs, or simply by what people watch you do on the ice. What does that mean to you? “It’s pretty cool. You grow up being one of those kids who looks up to the kind of guy you are now. It’s really special to be able to maybe make someone’s day here or there. It’s a really good feeling. And it’s all because of hockey, and I remember that. I’m really thankful for the game and really thankful to be here.” Away from the rink, who’s Jack Hughes? “I’m just a normal 18-year-old (chuckles). I like to golf, hang out with friends, relax. When I’m away from the rink, I just try to be normal and be chill.”

— Leo Scaglione Jr.