Goin’ excessive: Hughes chooses No. 86 with Devils
Greg WyshynskiESPN
Jack Hughes is already making historical past for the New Jersey Devils.
The 18-year-old phenom, taken first general finally weekend’s NHL draft, will turn into the primary Devils participant and solely the 14th in NHL historical past to put on No. 86 on his sweater, as was revealed at his introductory information convention in Newark on Tuesday.
“It is a fairly cool quantity. It is a excessive quantity, so it is just a little flashy,” stated Hughes, a dynamic middle from Orlando, Florida.
Nothing like seeing your @NHL jersey for the primary time.
Jack Hughes will put on #86 for the #NJDevils. pic.twitter.com/LLyjl87UTH
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) June 25, 2019
Devils basic supervisor Ray Shero even famous the rareness of his jersey alternative.
“That is solely his coaching camp quantity,” he stated, handing Hughes his jersey on the information convention. “I am kidding, I am kidding. It is his actual quantity. You can begin promoting them.”
Hughes wore two numbers for many of his profession with the U.S. nationwide growth program and in worldwide play, and each of them had connections to his household.
“No. 6 is the household quantity. Everybody has worn it: uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers,” Hughes stated on the Devils All-Entry podcast.
He additionally wore No. 43. It was a quantity his older brother, Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, wore throughout his U.S. developmental days and handed on to Jack, who stated he had handed it on to youthful brother Luke Hughes. In truth, Jack stated he noticed a No. 43 Devils jersey together with his title on it at their draft celebration the night time he was chosen.
As an alternative, he selected to put on No. 86 within the NHL. Hughes stated he beforehand wore the quantity in “minor-midget” hockey for 2 years and determined to deliver it again for his professional profession — largely as a result of he knew his most well-liked No. 6 was already on the again of 36-year-old Devils captain Andy Greene.
“Nicely, Greener is No. 6, apparent. In all probability not the most effective begin if I ask the captain to vary his quantity,” Hughes stated.
Probably the most distinguished No. 86 within the league proper now — and sure ever — is Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. Hurricanes ahead Teuvo Teravainen additionally sports activities the quantity.