A Historic NHL 25 Cover: The Hughes Brothers Make History
In a groundbreaking move, EA Sports has chosen Jack, Luke, and Quinn Hughes for the cover of NHL 25, marking the first time in the franchise’s history that siblings have been featured together. This momentous occasion is not just a significant endorsement of the brothers' skills and impacts, but also a celebration of their family's deep-rooted hockey legacy.
Family Legacy and Achievements
Jack and Luke Hughes both play for the New Jersey Devils, while their older brother, Quinn Hughes, serves as the captain of the Vancouver Canucks. Quinn also recently secured the prestigious Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman. This trio has not only established themselves as elite athletes in the NHL but also honored their parents' rich history in the sport.
Their father, Jim Hughes, carved his path in hockey as a captain at Providence College and later served as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. Currently, Jim is the director of player development for the Maple Leafs. Their mother, Ellen Hughes, was a multi-sport athlete at the University of New Hampshire and played on the US women’s national hockey team, which won a silver medal at the 1992 world championships. Ellen has also contributed to the sport as a coach and broadcaster.
Reflecting on their achievements, Quinn Hughes stated, "I think all of us are just honored because it's a hard thing to be on the cover and there's so many great players in the league." The sentiment resonates deeply, considering the brothers' upbringing and their collective emergence as hockey icons.
The Road to NHL Stardom
Quinn Hughes was drafted seventh by the Canucks in 2018, followed by Jack Hughes being the first overall pick for the Devils in 2019, and finally, Luke Hughes being picked fourth by the Devils in 2021. The trio's path to the NHL was fortified at the University of Michigan, where both Quinn and Luke excelled, as well as honing their skills at the United States National Team Development Program.
The Hughes brothers' impact on the NHL was vividly displayed on December 5, when they faced off in an NHL game for the first time. The Devils clinched a 6-5 victory in a matchup that saw Jack scoring three points, Luke netting a goal, and Quinn finishing with two points. This game was only the second time an American family had three brothers playing in the same NHL match, further underlining the historic nature of their careers.
Jack Hughes shared his excitement about the cover, "This is obviously a pretty special accolade and something I think every NHLer wants to accomplish or grows up and thinks, 'Wow, it'd be really cool to be on the cover.'"
Looking Ahead: NHL 25 and Its New Features
NHL 25, set to release on October 4, is highly anticipated not just for its symbolic cover but also for the innovative features it promises. A highlight of the game is the new "Ice-Q" feature, which aims to enhance gameplay with advanced skating and playmaking capabilities. Speaking about this feature, Chris Haluke remarked, "Just having their skating abilities, the way that they play, the way that they are playmakers, their offensive and defensive explosiveness -- there's so much that goes into their highly skilled play styles. We felt it was a direct match and helped influence what we were trying to accomplish with 'Ice-Q' and that feature overall."
For the Hughes brothers, being on the cover of NHL 25 is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the symbolic passing of the torch from a family deeply entrenched in the hockey world. Luke Hughes captured the essence perfectly, saying, "I think we grew up on the [video] game." This cover not only celebrates their personal achievements but also inspires the next generation of players who will grow up idolizing the Hughes legacy. As Jack Hughes aptly put it, "We were the same way growing up, and it's another really special opportunity that we grabbed at when it came toward us, and I think we're really excited with the final product."
With the NHL season set to open with a marquee match between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on the Hughes brothers. As they continue to leave their mark on the league and the gaming world, their story serves as a remarkable chapter in the annals of hockey history.