Luke Hughes: Keefe on Jack's Olympic GWG and luke hughes update
luke hughes was back at practice today as the New Jersey Devils returned from their extended Olympic break, and head coach Sheldon Keefe provided an update on his recovery and the team’s plan. Keefe, teammates and members of the Hughes family reflected on Jack Hughes's overtime, gold-securing goal in Milan and the wider sweep of Olympic success for the family.
Head coach Keefe on GWG
Sheldon Keefe shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes's game-winning goal at the Olympics, the overtime strike that put the Americans into gold. Keefe discussed the return from the Olympic break and provided an update on Luke Hughes as the Devils prepare to resume their NHL schedule. Several players chimed in: Brett Pesce shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes scoring the game-winning goal for the Americans, Dillon shared his thoughts on seeing Simon Nemec excel at the Olympics, and Jake Allen spoke about the upcoming final stretch of the season.
Luke Hughes returns to practice
Luke Hughes was back at practice today after the Devils returned from their extended break. Keefe spoke about the plan for his team as they prepare to resume NHL play and noted the team’s focus on returning to the ice. Cody Glass discussed the upcoming return to play after the Olympic break, and Connor Brown shared what it's like to be back after the extended Olympic break.
Who are the Hughes brothers
By the time Jack Hughes put the puck past Jordan Binnington in overtime Sunday night to score the golden goal, the Hughes family had already won one Olympic gold medal in Milan. 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. Three days later they were back on the ice in a different kind of hockey musical chairs.
Jim Hughes played hockey in college before transitioning into coaching, ultimately serving five years as the Toronto Maple Leafs' director of player development and later moving into the talent representation world 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 won silver at the 1992 IIHF Women's World Championships. Women's hockey didn't debut at the Olympics until 1998, just after her playing days ended; she 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 eventually settled in Mississauga, Ontario, where the boys grew up on Canadian ice, though they never lost their American eligibility and ultimately moved to Michigan when the oldest boys were in high school.
Quinn Hughes and honors
The Hughes brothers 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 — also to the Devils, joining Jack in New Jersey — in 2021. 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, is widely described as the most famous hockey player 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 that are among the most competitive informal skates.
Injury, reactions and practice notes
In January 2026, Luke was placed on long-term injured reserve with a shoulder injury; he watched his brothers win gold from New Jersey. The Devils returned to practice with Jesper Bratt back after his time in Milan at the Olympics. Former Devils captain Andy Greene suited up with his former team to help out at practice, a blast from the past for teammates and staff. Brodeur talked Canada's goalies and Elias shared his "small pants" Olympic injury story at club events. Arseny Gritsyuk toured the team's annual Sweep the Deck gala for the first time with Amanda Stein, and the organization invited fans to take a look at festivities from that event.
On the family side, Ellen said it was a rare convergence: never in a million years did she imagine being in Italy and having the opportunity to be part of the women's Olympic team, and then to have two sons there, you just count your blessings. Jack put it simply: "It's pretty cool, " he said, noting that all three could be part of their first Olympics together. Team voices on the ice included Dillon on Simon Nemec's play and Cody Glass on returning after the break; Brett Pesce and others spoke about Jack's clutch scoring for the Americans.
This story first appeared on Feb 23, 2026 in the Sports section.
