Luke Hughes Back on the Ice as Devils Resume After Jack Hughes's Olympic OT Gold
luke hughes was back on the ice today as the New Jersey Devils returned from an extended Olympic break that saw Jack Hughes score an overtime game-winning goal in Milan to secure gold for the Americans and the Hughes family collect multiple Olympic medals. The return-to-play window has already produced coaching updates, roster chatter and a series of personal and team check-ins that matter for the season's final stretch.
Luke Hughes returns to practice as Devils resume schedule
Luke Hughes skated with the club when the Devils resumed their NHL schedule, and head coach Sheldon Keefe provided an update on his status as the team prepares to pick up the season. Keefe laid out the plan for the club's return from the Olympic break while also addressing Luke Hughes's presence at practice and how the team will integrate returning players into the lineup.
Jack Hughes's overtime golden goal and the family's Milan sweep
Jack Hughes scored the golden goal in overtime, beating Jordan Binnington to clinch gold for the Americans in Milan. That moment came after the Hughes family had already celebrated a gold medal in Milan when their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, helped coach the U. S. women's team to a 2-1 victory over Canada. Jack and Quinn watched the women's final from the stands, and three days later the brothers swapped roles in a sequence described as a game of musical chairs, hockey professional-style.
The Hughes family lineage and career milestones
Jim Hughes played college hockey before moving into coaching and then player development; he served five years as the Toronto Maple Leafs' director of player development and later transitioned 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 in soccer, lacrosse and hockey, later winning silver at the 1992 IIHF Women's World Championships. Women's hockey did not debut at the Olympics until 1998, just after Ellen's playing days ended; she later worked as a broadcaster before stepping away from television in 2009 when Jim's career required the family's full attention.
Quinn and Jack were 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 developed on Canadian ice, though they never lost their American eligibility and ultimately moved to Michigan when the oldest boys were in high school. The Hughes family is 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 was taken first overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019, and Luke went fourth overall to the Devils in 2021, joining Jack in New Jersey.
Injuries, awards and recent recognition
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 his overtime goal in Milan, emerged as a singular figure in U. S. hockey—even noted for returning to the spotlight in a famously toothless state. Luke Hughes, a defenseman like Quinn, made the all-rookie team in 2023-24 and trains with his brothers each summer in sessions described as among the most competitive informal skates. In January 2026, luke hughes was placed on long-term injured reserve with a shoulder injury and watched his brothers win gold from New Jersey.
Devils practice notes and clubhouse updates
Sheldon Keefe shared his thoughts on Jack Hughes's game-winning goal and addressed the club's plan for resuming the NHL schedule. Brett Pesce commented on Jack scoring the game-winner for the Americans. Jesper Bratt returned to practice after his time in Milan, and former Devils captain Andy Greene suited up to help out at practice, creating a blast-from-the-past moment. Dillon discussed watching Simon Nemec excel at the Olympics, while Cody Glass talked about the upcoming return to play after the Olympic break. Jake Allen reflected on the upcoming final stretch of the season, and Connor Brown described what it feels like to be back after the extended Olympic pause.
Off-ice events also accompanied the return: the club hosted its annual Sweep the Deck gala, with festivities noted around the team; Arseny Gritsyuk toured the gala for the first time with Amanda Stein. In additional locker-room notes, Brodeur discussed Canada's goalies and Elias shared a lighthearted Olympic injury anecdote described as a "small pants" story.
This article compiles recent team and family developments tied to the 2026 Olympics and was informed by material originally published on Feb 23, 2026. Details may continue to evolve as the Devils move forward and players recover or re-enter the lineup.
