Devils star Jack Hughes on points record, Pride Night controversy, brotherly love and more I The Rush
NHL star Jack Hughes is on The Rush, chatting with Jared about his attempt to break the New Jersey Devils’ regular season points record, welcoming a new roommate in his brother Luke who just became his Devils teammate a few days ago, what childhood competition looked like in the Hughes household with three future NHL players and why he supports the Pride Night tradition even when some of NHL colleagues don’t. Plus, golfer Brooks Koepka was recently caught on camera heckling Florida Panthers star Aaron Ekblad during a game … would Jack ever heckle another pro athlete? The answer might surprise you!
Video Transcript
JARED QUAY: And you leading, like, the leader boards of the family, man? You were the first overall selection when your brothers were seventh and fourth. Do you brag about that, or you keep it humble?
JACK HUGHES: No, I can't because, I mean, they're both studs in their own right. You know? Like, if I brag about that, then Quinn and brag about something else, and Luke's got something on top of us. So, like you just said, Quinn's the fastest D to hit 200 assists.
I haven't had 200 assists, so he's got that over me. There's always something. But even in the summers now, you know, it's super competitive and a lot of fun playing each other.
JARED QUAY: What's up, everybody. I'm here with New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes. Welcome to the show, Jack. How you doing today?
JACK HUGHES: Thanks. I'm doing good. How about you?
JARED QUAY: I'm doing good but not as good as you because you're currently tied for the Devils' single season record of 96 points. So, my question is, how badly do you want to break that tie at home?
JACK HUGHES: Yeah, we got two games left. So, I really want to break it at home, but--
JARED QUAY: But you don't want to break it on the road. Then you don't get the cheers. It's more boos. You want to get where the fans, you know, standing ovation and whatnot, right?
JACK HUGHES: Hey, we'll take it out we can get it.
JARED QUAY: Your brother Quinn recently became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 200 assists, and now your little brother Luke just signed with the Devils. So my question is, how much did you guys compete being this athletic of a family?
JACK HUGHES: Yeah, our house was a war zone growing up, you know? We'd always have friends at the house, and, you know, there'd be a bunch of guys running around in whatever sport it was. We were really competitive.
It's pretty ridiculous now looking back at it, though. Like, you know, when you're just a kid, you're, like, just enjoying sports. And then, you know, now, the three of us are in the NHL. So, it's pretty crazy and really special.
JARED QUAY: One of your brothers is on your team, man. What's it like to be out there with Luke on the ice?
JACK HUGHES: Yeah, it's great. You know, he actually signed his contract two days ago. So, he was at Michigan, and then he just signed. And hopefully, he's going to play his first game here pretty soon. So, it's just like--
JARED QUAY: Is he your roommate now, though? Is he, like--
JACK HUGHES: Oh, yeah.
JARED QUAY: [INAUDIBLE]
JACK HUGHES: Yeha, big-- big bro is taking care of him. So--
JARED QUAY: As far as rooming, how short is this lease, right? Like, is he leaving his shoes all over the place and washing his dishes? You get him out of there?
JACK HUGHES: No, I got to let the young guy have a little leash, you know? I let him do his thing.
JARED QUAY: OK, man. You're a good brother, man. You're a good brother.
- You're very good, you.
JARED QUAY: Your team participated in its annual Pride Tonight in December. But this season, a bunch of players and some entire NHL teams have declined to participate. Are you surprised to see this kind of change?
JACK HUGHES: The team I played for, the Devils, like, we really support that, and, you know, we're really welcoming organizations. So, I think a bunch of the guys in our team were looking forward to that. And then, you know, obviously, with how we grew up, my family really supports that too.
So, I can't speak for other teams, but you know, I know in New Jersey, that was a night that I think everyone on our team is really welcoming, and they know it's really important. So, it wasn't even a thought about not doing it for us.
- We're cool people.
JARED QUAY: A few weeks ago, golfer Brooks Koepka was at a Panthers game and started heckling one of the players. Have you ever been heckled, and have you ever heckled anyone else at any professional events?
JACK HUGHES: No, you don't take it personal. I mean, we have pretty rowdy fans in New Jersey. So we like when they get on them.
But man, it's part of sports. Like, I remember growing up, we used to love that-- like, going to, like, Leaf games. It was pretty-- like, it was pretty wild. So--
JARED QUAY: If there was an event that was, like, that you did go to, who was one person you would heckle?
JACK HUGHES: Some of my boys that played on different teams in the NFL I'd love to heckle. Like, if I got, like, a disguise and go in the crowd-- but I wouldn't be, like, ripping some NBA player. That's not my style. I just enjoy it.
JARED QUAY: Well, look, Jack, man. Thank you so much for rushing with me today, man. We look forward to watching you play in the Stanley Cup because I'm calling out for you, all right?
We're going to see you out there, all right? Thank you, man. Have a good day.
JACK HUGHES: We'll see you. We'll see you. Thanks, guys.