Five For Luke Hughes
As most draft-eligible prospects would tell you, the 2020-21 season has been anything but normal.
Back on August 6, USA hockey released a statement sanctioning a 2020-21 season. This meant for Luke Hughes, beyond the implementation of COVID protocols, his draft year would be relatively normal in comparison to his peers in Canada and Europe.
Related: Hughes focused on present in draft year
“Anything can happen at any time,” Hughes said. “The season’s been going really well for us as a team, I think. We’re just really lucky to play.”
Ranked fifth overall in FCHockey’s preliminary rankings, Hughes is a member of the USNTDP and has been a leader on the team, collecting a combined 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) in 28 games in the USHL and the USDP.
FCHockey recently caught up with the skilled defender.
FCHockey: Is there one aspect of your game you feel you still need to improve on a little bit
Luke Hughes: I think I need to improve on everything. Going into the next level at college and hopefully into the National Hockey League, I think I need to improve on every aspect of my game and keep getting better.
FC: Has there been anyone in particular who you think helped you get to this point in your hockey career?
LH: Yeah, both my brothers. They brought me into this game, and then my parents. I just wanted to do whatever they did when I was little. So, they’re a huge support system that I have.
FC: If you had to give a scouting report on your game, what would you say?
LH: I would say: Can defend the rush, great skater, is very patient with the puck, makes the right decisions, can attack, joins the play, joins the rush, can run a power play, and can play on PK.
FC: Who was your favorite NHL player growing up?
LH: Growing up, probably Sidney Crosby or Patrick Kane.
FC: If you had to compare yourself to a current NHLer, who would that be and why?
LH: Right now, because I’m playing on the right side, I like to watch Shea Theodore because he’s a lefty playing on the right side too. So, I like to watch him and some of the stuff that he does on the blue line, and how he shakes defenders and stuff like that. And then I also like to watch Miro Heiskanen because he’s also kind of a big guy, and just the way skates and how uses his size to his advantage. So those are two guys I watch and like to compare myself to. Obviously, I watched my brother (Quinn) too, watch everything that he does.