Luke Hughes — luke hughes returns to Devils practice after Milan Olympic run
luke hughes was back on the ice as the New Jersey Devils returned from an extended Olympic break, a brief but visible sign of the post‑Milan reshuffle that followed two Olympic gold medals for the Hughes family. The return matters because it ties together Sheldon Keefe's update on the roster with the family's unusual sweep of success in Italy.
Luke Hughes back at practice; Keefe offers an update and timetable
Luke Hughes was back at practice today as the Devils resumed work, and head coach Sheldon Keefe discussed the team's plan as they prepare to resume their NHL schedule. Keefe provided an update on Luke Hughes's status after the extended break. In January 2026, Luke had been placed on long‑term injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and he watched his brothers win gold from New Jersey while rehabbing.
Keefe and teammates react to Jack Hughes's Olympic overtime winner
Sheldon Keefe shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes's game‑winning goal at the Olympics, the overtime strike that secured the gold. Jack put the puck past Jordan Binnington in overtime Sunday night to score the golden goal for the Americans. Brett Pesce also shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes scoring the game‑winning goal for the Americans.
Mother and sons: Ellen Weinberg‑Hughes and a week of gold in Milan
The Hughes family had already won one Olympic gold in Milan before Jack's overtime winner. Their mother, Ellen Weinberg‑Hughes, helped coach the U. S. women's team to a 2‑1 gold‑medal victory over Canada on Thursday, with her sons Jack and Quinn watching from the stands. Ellen reflected on the experience, saying, "Never in a million years did I think that I would be in Italy and have the opportunity to be a part of the women's Olympic team. " Three days later, the family again made headlines when Jack and Quinn took the ice and the on‑ice story continued.
How the Hughes brothers arrived: Jim and Ellen's sporting path and draft history
Jim Hughes played hockey in college before transitioning into coaching, serving five years as the Toronto Maple Leafs' director of player development and later moving into talent representation as director of player development for CAA Hockey. Ellen Weinberg‑Hughes was a three‑sport athlete at the University of New Hampshire — soccer, lacrosse and hockey — and she won silver at the 1992 IIHF Women's World Championships. Women's hockey did not debut at the Olympics until 1998, just after her playing days ended. Ellen later worked as a broadcaster before stepping away from TV in 2009 when Jim's career demanded the family's full attention.
Quinn and Jack were both born in Orlando, Florida while Jim was an assistant coach for the Solar Bears; Luke was born in 2003. The family settled in Mississauga, Ontario, where the boys grew up on Canadian ice, and they ultimately moved to Michigan when the oldest boys were in high school, though they never lost their American eligibility. The Hughes family are the only American family to have three brothers selected in the first round of the NHL draft: Quinn went seventh overall to the Vancouver Canucks in 2018, Jack went first overall to the New Jersey Devils in 2019, and Luke went fourth overall to the Devils in 2021, joining Jack in New Jersey.
Individual achievements: Quinn, Jack and Luke's resumes heading into the break
Quinn, now with the Minnesota Wild after a December trade, won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in 2024 and was voted Best Defender of this Olympic tournament by the IIHF. Jack, the Devils' franchise center, set a team record with 99 points in 2022‑23 and, after Sunday night, emerged as one of the most famous hockey players in the United States — "toothless" as he may now be. Luke, a defenseman like Quinn, made the all‑rookie team in 2023‑24 and trains alongside his brothers every summer in sessions described as among the most competitive informal skates in hockey.
Devils practice notes, roster voices and offseason events
Practice after the break mixed veterans and visitors. Jesper Bratt was back at practice after his time in Milan at the Olympics. Former Devils captain Andy Greene hit the ice with his former team to help out at practice; it was described as a blast from the past when Greene suited up with the team. Dillon shared his thoughts on seeing Simon Nemec excel at the Olympics. Cody Glass discussed the upcoming return to play after the Olympic break, while Jake Allen shared his thoughts on the upcoming final stretch of the season and Connor Brown spoke about what it's like to be back after the extended Olympic break.
Keefe also touched on club events beyond the rink: the team held its annual Sweep the Deck gala, and the festivities included an appearance from Arseny Gritsyuk, who toured Sweep the Deck for the first time with Amanda Stein. Brodeur talked about Canada's goalies and Elias shared his "small pants" Olympic injury story during the weekend's events.
Across the locker room and the stands in Milan, the Hughes family's week of gold and individual milestones merged with the Devils' immediate task: reassembling and pushing through the final stretch of the NHL season.
