New Jersey Devils superstar makes surprise return to the ice during Olympic break

The New Jersey Devils are having themselves a good time at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Outside of Jesper Bratt, every other New Jersey Devils player is having a great showing in Milan. This includes Jack Hughes, who joins his brother Quinn Hughes as two of the breakout candidates for Team USA. 

There was an outside chance for all three Hughes brothers to make it to Italy to represent the United States together, but a few factors got in the way. For one, Luke Hughes is having his worst NHL season. While he was getting better after the New Year, nobody can deny how bad he’s been on the ice.

Then, Hughes injured his shoulder, and he’s been out since January 19th. At first, it looked like the injury was going to end the youngest Hughes brother’s season. It was clear that Luke Hughes wasn’t even going to be a replacement player because of his shoulder injury.

Reports started to surface that Hughes could return after the Olympic break, but on Wednesday, he returned faster than anyone could have expected. 

Luke Hughes returns to practice with the rest of the New Jersey Devils

The Devils returned to practice with the players who aren’t participating in the Olympics on Wednesday. The vacations are over, and it’s time to get back to work. Seeing Luke Hughes return now is a great sign. 

It’s even better to happen now than closer to the end of the break. Hughes has a chance to work out the kinks that come with the shoulder injury, and he can continue the momentum that comes with missing the Olympics.

When Luke Hughes missed the cut for the 4 Nations Face-Off last season, he finished the season on a point-per-game pace, and he showed why there was so much ype around him outside of a famous last name. When he got hurt in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes, that was really the nail in the coffin. 

The Devils needed a break from hockey more than any other team in the league. The season was swirling down the drain, and it might still be too late to recover now that they are 11 points out of a playoff spot. However, seeing Luke Hughes return might give them the option to trade more player or make different changes to the lineup.