New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes Joins Men’s World Championships
The New Jersey Devils potential first overall pick now joins the men’s World Championships after playing in the U-18 World Championships.
Potential New Jersey Devils first overall pick Jack Hughes is going to play at the IIHF Men’s World Championships. This is coming off of dominating the U-18 World Championships over the last couple of weeks.
He broke the all time U-18 points record of 31 previously held by Alexander Ovechkin when he got his 32nd point. His 20 points in the 2019 tournament was one shy of Nikita Kucherov for the single tournament record.
This was an incredible showing and now he takes his talents to the men’s version of the tournament. It will be an opportunity to play against men and show he can do it versus some of the best players in the world. It isn’t considered a best on best tournament like the Olympic Games or the World Cup of Hockey but it is as close as you can get.
Hughes will join his potential future teammate Cory Schneider playing for the United States. He will be teammates with guys like Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and Dylan Larkin. He will also join his brother Quinn Hughes on the roster as well.
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This roster is loaded and has potential to win the whole thing if it plays to his game. Jack was the captain and leader of the U-18 team on and off the ice which will be very different from his role on the men’s team. He will be the youngster of the team and will be following the footsteps of a guy like Kane, who is the captain of the team and a very accomplished player.
This is the last time Hughes will have the chance to show what he can do to the whole world against some of the game’s greatest players. It is the last tournament before we start to prepare for the actual draft. It is also an opportunity for Hughes to once again go against fellow top prospect Kaapo Kakko.
The was a matchup in the World Juniors back in January and it will likely be a matchup for years to come whenever the Devils and New York Rangers get together. It is exciting to have Hughes in the Worlds and a chance to see him again before the 2019 NHL Draft.