Luke Hughes from Devils will force his way to 2026 US Olympic Squad – The Hockey Writers New Jersey Devils Latest News, Analysis and more

Only three days ago the defender of New Jersey Devils Luke Hughes went to Plymouth, Michigan to participate in the US Olympic Hockey Orientation Camp. He, together with 43 others, including his brothers Jack and Quinn, hopes to be part of a group in Milan, Italy who has been able to lead the stars and stripes to their first Olympic gold since 1980.

Related: Project the schedule of the United States for the Winter Olympics 2026

However, the fact that a player is invited to camp does not mean that they are guaranteed to make the team. The last selection will transport 25 players, which means at least 18 That the camp attended will not be cut.

Hughes’ Olympic opportunities

The youngest Hughes had a pretty respectable season 2024-25 season on paper: 44 points in 71 games. The hockey writers‘Tony Wolak projected the following defenders to make the American selection: Quinn Hughes, Charlie Mcavoy, Zach Werenski, Adam Fox, Jaccob Slavin, Seth Jones, Jake Sanderson and Brock Faber.

If it is healthy, the schedule will undoubtedly contain Q. Hughes and Mcavoy (who have already been confirmed) together with Werenski and Slavin. The other four places are possible for the taking. L. Hughes would not have been invited to the orientation camp if USA Hockey Brass had not felt at least An external shot.

But here is the thing: L. Hughes was another player to end the season and end the 2024-25 campaign with 20 points in 22 matches-bound for the fourth among NHL defenders. In fact it was more than his both brother Quinn And Werenski, each of whom had 18 points in their last 22 games.

Young Montreal Canadiens Defender Lane Hutson had 20 points in the same way in that period (another who deserves a long, hard look for Milan). No American had more than he or L. Hughes.

Now it is of course the construction of a successful Olympic team about more than just pointing to production. But with the Olympic ice cream, that’s Slightly wider than an NHL magazineSpeed ​​should be a priority. According to NHL -RandL. Hughes’ top skating speed of 23.58 miles per hour (MPH) is located in the 97th percentile of the entire competition and leads all American defenders but Q. Hughes and Hutson.

It should also not be overlooked that L. Hughes ended up a DuivelPower game for a majority of last season that second ended in the competition with a success rate of 28.2%. When he went down with injury in the Place, their man advantage seemed to look completely with Dougie Hamilton who replaced him.

Although national teams always emphasize defensive skills (rightly), Hughes has taken some major steps as a 21-year-old. According to Natural Stat TrickThe devils allowed 24.65 scoring opportunities per 60 minutes (SCA/60) when Hughes was on the ice, which is better than 75.3% of the NHL defenders to play more than 1,000 minutes. Although part of that credit is certain of his D -partner Brett Pesce, it immediately places him in the same margin of some of the more experienced United States’ defenders (Jaccob Slavin – 24.38, Jake Sanderson – 25.40, Adam Fox – 24.04).

He uses his long range and speed to break consistent opportunities. He only gets better in that respect; Not worse. Season to season, he cut a high chances for danger with ~ 7.5% and the total goals against 7%. If he is something like his brother Quinn, whose career track is very similar, L. Hughes could take a huge leap forward during his third full season in 2025-26 and be much closer to a point-per game while he is taking huge steps defensively.

Based on his great end of the season, his work ethics and his rough skills, it would not be surprising to see a huge outbreak that makes the Olympic team. “You always want to be part of the 4 nations or the Olympic Games if you are lucky to be invited,” said L. Hughes in his exit interview 2023-24. “I just have to keep working on my game and get better and better.”