(Newark) The New Jersey Devils have signed defenseman Luke Hughes — the younger brother of star center and teammate Jack Hughes — to a three-year first professional contract.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the news on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the University of Michigan Wolverines, the defenseman’s team, were eliminated in the semifinals of the NCAA year-end tournament. .
The agreement comes into effect this season, which will allow Luke Hughes to claim autonomy one season sooner. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.
Luke Hughes was the fourth player selected in the 2021 NHL Draft. He will wear number 43, but head coach Lindy Ruff has announced he won’t be in uniform Saturday night when the Devils visit the Bruins from Boston.
The 19-year-old Hughes served as an assistant captain in his second season with the Wolverines, and finished second in team scoring with nine goals and 33 assists.
His point total made him second among all defensemen in the NCAA this season.
Jack Hughes, 21, was the first player selected in the 2019 NHL Draft. He is the Devils’ leading scorer this season and was named an all-star in each of the last two campaigns.
Quinn Hughes, older brother of Luke, was selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 draft.