NHL Network announced its list of the top 25 players born in the 21st century, and two New Jersey Devils earned recognition for their impact on the ice.
Coming in at 18th was the Devils’ own Luke Hughes. Born in 2003, the 21-year-old defenseman has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of New Jersey’s blue line since being drafted in 2021.
Hughes has already proven to be a reliable two-way defender, pairing alongside veteran Dougie Hamilton as one of the leaders on the back end. Despite his youth, he’s expected to develop into a true franchise defenseman. Contract talks are ongoing, with a long-term extension anticipated any day now.
Through three seasons, Hughes has played 155 games and tallied 93 points. Last season, he suited up for 71 games, scoring 7 goals and 37 assists for 44 points during the 2024–25 campaign.
NHL Network’s Mike Rupp had high praise for Hughes on air this week:
“[Luke Hughes] can do everything... I think this is an awesome number one defenseman for a franchise.”
Hughes ranked ahead of notable names like Matvei Michkov, the Philadelphia Flyers’ highly-touted rookie.
The Devils were represented even higher on the list by Luke’s older brother, Jack Hughes, who landed at No. 2.
Jack, born in 2001, is now 24 years old. Drafted first overall in 2019, he has been the centerpiece of the Devils’ rebuild since the day he joined the organization.
In six seasons, Jack has played 368 games and recorded 351 points, though injuries have cut into his playing time. When healthy, his ceiling remains sky-high.
Last season, despite missing time due to a shoulder injury, Jack still managed to put up 70 points in 62 games. His career-best came in 2022–23, when he played 78 games and notched 99 points, setting franchise records along the way.
Now, both Hughes brothers add yet another milestone to their resumes. For Devils fans, having not one but two young stars ranked so highly is a promising sign for the franchise’s future.