Nov 30, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) scores the game winning goal in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Devils' Defenseman Becomes Second Hughes Brother to Receive Calder Trophy Nomination
NEWARK, N.J. -- The NHL announced their three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)."
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild's Brock Faber are the top three rookies of the 2023-24 season, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Luke Hughes is the second Hughes to be nominated for the award, joining his older brother and fellow defenseman Quinn Hughes.
Quinn finished second in Calder Trophy voting behind Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar in the 2019-20 season. In his rookie campaign with Vancouver, the eldest Hughes brother appeared in 68 games and earned 53 points (eight goals, 45 assists).
Oct 4, 2023; New York, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
His then-head coach, Travis Green, spoke highly of Quinn, saying, "He's just a joy to watch, a joy to coach, and we're lucky to have him."
Of course, Green ended the 2023-24 campaign as Luke's interim head coach after Lindy Ruff was relieved of his duties on March 4.
"He's a really good young defenseman," Green said of Luke. "He's going to be a good defenseman in the league for a long time."
It is the first time in NHL history two brothers have been named a finalist for the award.
Per the NHL's press release, "Hughes finished second among rookies with nine goals,38 assists, and 47 points while appearing in all 82 games. His 47 points marked the second-most by a rookie defenseman in franchise history (behind Barry Beck's 60 in 1977-78 with the Colorado Rockies), while his 38 assists shared second place (after Will Butcher's 39 in 2017-18). Hughes also topped all 2023-24 rookies, forwards, and defensemen with 21 power-play assists and 25 power-play points – the most by a rookie blueliner in either category since his oldest brother Quinn Hughes posted 22 and 25, respectively, in 2019-20 (with Vancouver).
"The fourth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft additionally finished among the 2023-24 rookie leaders in total time on ice (2nd; 1,760: 50), takeaways (2nd; 42), power-play goals (t-2nd; 4), assists (3rd; 38) and shots on goal (9th; 135). The 20-year-old Hughes is the Devils' first Calder Trophy finalist since Adam Henrique placed third in voting in 2011-12 and is looking to join Scott Gomez (1999‑00) and Martin Brodeur (1993-94) as the third winner in franchise history."
