The New Jersey Devils selected defenseman Luke Hughes with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft Friday night.
The 17-year-old joins his older brother, center Jack Hughes, in the Devils organization.
Luke Hughes was ranked No. 4 in NHL Central Scouting’s ranking of North American skaters and is considered an elite skater.
Hughes, a Canton, Mich. native, recorded six goals, 26 assists and 34 points in 38 games with the US National Team Development Program last year. His 0.89 points per game lead all defensemen in the program – Rangers defenseman Adam Fox had 0.92 points per game in 2015-16.
Son of professional hockey players Jim and Ellen, Hughes’ selection is the latest milestone for the up-and-coming NHL family. He joins his two brothers as first-round picks – oldest brother Quinn Hughes was drafted seventh overall by the Canucks in 2018 and middle brother Jack was drafted first overall by the Devils in 2019.