| Luke Hughes | NTDP U18 | USHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 180 | Michigan | 2021 | Orlando, FL | 2003 | 2020-2021: A |
USHL: NTDP U18 vs Youngstown, January 18, 2021: On multiple instances in this game, Hughes demonstrated his smooth stride by leading the rush through neutral zone with ease. Not only did this enable the US to establish offensive zone possession in many instances, but there were numerous high quality scoring chances generated. For example, a zone entry he led in the first period set up an offensive possession that eventually resulted in the first US goal of the game. Solid game defensively as well, winning battles and containing attackers. Grade: B
NAHL: USNTDP U18 vs Johnstown Tomahawks, January 7, 2021: A standout in this game, always quarterbacking from the point and commanding respect from the opposition. Great composure and control with the puck in all situations. On the defensive side, he was solid, breaking up a partial breakaway in the first period with ease. He also scored the US’ first goal on a 5 on 3 powerplay. He was set up for a quick one timer and ripped it through a screen. During a rush through the middle in the second period, every Tomahawk player had eyes on him. By attracting this focus from the opposition, he opens up lanes and threats with other players and Hughes was finding his teammates through seams all night. Grade: A
USHL: NTDP 18s vs Youngstown, January 6, 2021: Hughes is an elite defenseman for the NTDP that is an extremely smooth skater, has great vision, a high hockey IQ, and quick hands. At least twice in the game Hughes skated the puck coast to coast and made it look easy. He is creative on the rush and showed that early in the game, making a behind the back pass high in the offensive zone, setting up a Grade A scoring chance for his team. On the offensive blue line the Michigan commit is poised and plays a mature game, distributing the puck extremely well. He uses his edges and puck skills to elude defenders and drive the puck low in the zone before looking to pass to a teammate in a scoring area. On defense he uses his skating and stick skills to close space quickly and eliminate options. Overall, Hughes is an elite hockey player that has great feet and hands, which help him excel on both ends of the ice. Grade: A
USHL: NTDP U18 vs Muskegon Lumberjacks, December 19, 2020: Hughes is an elite offensive defenseman that has incredibly smooth skating, great edges, and plays the game with his head up. Hughes is creative with the puck on his stick and can glide around opponents , often carrying the puck from his own end, through the neutral zone, and into the offensive zone where he sets up the attack or looks to create off the rush. On one play in particular he picked up a puck in the neutral zone, put the defender on his heels and made him crossover, then driving wide to beat the defender to the net and create a high quality chance. On another play Hughes was able to score a goal by jumping up in the rush and collecting a pass in the slot, finishing the play over the goalie’s blocker. Hughes’ edges and skating ability combined with his hockey sense clearly distinguished him from the other players on the ice. Defensively he uses his skating effectively to close time and space, eliminating options. Overall, Hughes is an elite hockey player that stood out every time he was on the ice. Grade: A
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, November 2020: Honestly, Luke has been so dominant in his age group for so long that you want to start to nit pick his game, but when it comes right down to it Luke is a player any organization will love to have. His skating is exceptional and so effortless that he’s going to be able to play against and defend anyone in the NHL. Small, quick and shifty? Luke has the feet to match. Big, explosive and powerful. Luke’s going to be just as explosive and he has the brain to know how to take away time and space. Offensively, Luke’s going to be a top pairing guy who runs the first unit power play. His anticipation is phenomenal and he can stretch the ice as well as anyone who’s been drafted over the past few years. I’m legitimately looking forward to his professional career.
USA Hockey Nationals U15, April 2019: Luke is the best skater on the ice. He has long legs and a smooth, controlled stride. Gets up to speed effortlessly and likes to push the pace offensively. He constantly looks to stretch the ice with his passing. He sees the ice very well and made several plays to get out of his zone. He takes calculated risks when to jump into the play and likes to wheel the puck through the neutral zone and facilitate off the zone-entry. By having the puck on his stick constantly, he makes some poor turnovers and rushed decisions. He will need to round out that part of his game. However, he brings a lot to the table and has more upside than anyone here. Grade: A- College: Michigan
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2019: The youngest member of the well-known Hughes family is really starting to emerge as a prospect this season and showed it here throughout camp. The best skater in the camp both in terms of stride and balance; he has excellent speed and acceleration and his mobility and athleticism allow him to play tight defensively and explode up ice when he sees a lane. He’s smooth both in his footwork and his puck handling and he was always in control. He can slow it down, he can speed it up, he can shoot from the point, he can carry it end to end and activate off the offensive blue line and he can make plays off the rush. Defensively he isn’t overly disciplined at this point but his mobility and athleticism make him nearly impossible to get around 1v1 or wide with speed and he has a quick poke check. He’s competitive on puck battles and wins the majority of them although he could play with more physicality. He had an impressive rush here up the ice where he gained the blue line and stopped to free up space and hit a late trailer for a nice catch and shoot goal. His head was always up, he had a lot of possession time and showed an impressive hockey IQ in his ability to read the defense and find his teammates in space going up ice. On breakouts he’s able to hold it that extra second and allow the passing lane to open and make direct tape to tape passes to exit the zone instead of blindly winging it up the boards or skating the puck into traffic areas. He picked his spots well in the offensive zone on when to pinch and when to come off the line and attack the net and he showed great speed on several backchecks when there were turnovers. He didn’t have a ton of shots here but when he did he showed a rocket snap shot and he proved to be one of the best puck movers in the camp. He can sauce the puck effortlessly in stride, he can hit firm cross ice passes on tape and he’s able to stretch the defense with his long-range passing ability where he can hit target at the red line from his own goal line. Really exciting prospect with his skating ability who is starting to show signs that he’s in the same conversation with his older brothers. College: Michigan
Day #1 Recap at NTDP Evaluation Camp: It would be hard to say any of these kids are under the radar as they are the top 50 or so prospects in the US. However, there is a top tier of kids like Luke Hughes, Dylan Duke, Chaz Lucius, etc. In our estimation there are 7 forwards and 4 defenseman who are locks (in our opinion only, not official) so the rest of the camp is trying out for the second half of the roster. Of those players we were impressed after day #1 with the performances of Davis Codd (Little Ceaser’s U16), Vincent Salice (Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16), Davis Burnside (Chicago Mission U15), Sasha Pastujov (Compuware U16), Ethan Starky (Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16) and Daniel Sambuco (ISS Kings U16).
NHL Midget Youth Cup: U18, U16, February 2019: Hughes was flat out impressive this weekend. He is a dynamic skater who does not waste movements. Uses a strong stride and balanced edges to make plays all over the ice. Effortlessly gets up to speed and carries speed through the neutral zone. Has elite vision and makes crafty plays look simple on almost each shift. He threads passes through tight seams to create offensive chances. He is creative and made some high risk plays look routine. Still getting stronger, but has a long frame and will be able to fill out as he gets older. Was a big reason why Little Caesars was able to beat some good U16 teams. College Michigan Grade: A
2018 Minor Midget International Silver Stick, December 2018: Hughes is a consistent performer who is extremely dangerous from the back end. He is quick to gain open ice leaving his zone and if you blink, he is by you as it only takes him a couple of strides to get to full speed. Hughes has a deceptively hard shot with good accuracy and can pick the top corner from above the circles. College: Michigan
Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament, November 2018: A small D who controls most of the play with his vision and poise, Hughes does not give up the puck easily unless he has a sure pass. He dances through layers of the forecheck with his shiftiness and puck-handling abilities. He is not going to out-muscle many in puck battles down low but uses good positioning, an active stick, and good hockey sense to win most of these battles. His shot gets through and with some added velocity will create more second chance opportunities.
Toronto Titans Minor Midget Tournament, September 2018: Hughes is a slick skating D-man with the ability to jump into the rush quickly. Hughes displayed an excellent first step and an ability to both lead and follow up the rush. Hughes is undersized but uses his body well and showed mobility defensively to take away time and space from the opposition. Offensively, Hughes was dangerous on most shifts and read the play well effectively to jump into the right offensive situation. At times during the tournament Hughes was bounced around by heavy offensive players. As he fills out his frame we see him developing into an excellent all around defender. In our view he was one of the best all around skaters in the tournament.
U14 Nationals, April 2018: The third Hughes showed the same sort of talents his older brothers possess. He is very skilled and a puck mover. At one point as he was skating up ice with the puck he actually made an opponent fall down simply by faking him out. His skating is smooth and his hands are slick. Plays with a long stick and can handle the puck, catch and make passes and shoot away or close to his body. Scored a goal where he held and dragged the puck with his backhand and fired a puck under the crossbar. Scored another on a rebound as he loved to join the rush. Even scored on a penalty shot in a shootout as he went between his legs. Real skill and real talent showed through for the late 2003. Finished with two goals and two assists in the four games. He has a very high ceiling.
U14: Michigan State Finals, April 2018: Luke is a smooth skating defenseman who will lead the rush and make great plays. He is very smart player who makes himself available for his teammates. He is very reliable in the defensive zone and will take the body.