Hughes trio set for 1st NHL matchup: 'It's definitely pretty wild'

Tuesday's game between the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils will see all three Hughes brothers play in the same contest for the first time in the NHL.

"Of course, you dream you're going to play with your brothers in the NHL one day," Jack, the middle brother of the three, told NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "You're in the basement, hanging out, playing, but you never really think it's going to become a reality. For it to happen, it's definitely pretty wild. It's three kids in one game."

Jack and his older brother Quinn first faced off in the NHL on Oct. 19, 2019. The youngest of the trio, Luke, was 16 at the time.

"I definitely didn't expect something like this to happen when we were kids, but it's really cool," Luke said. "That's the dedication shown by our parents. ... How hard they worked and how hard the three of us worked too. It's going to be fun."

Tuesday's meeting will be the ninth time in league history that three brothers play in the same game, most recently done by Eric, Jordan, and Marc Staal on April 13. But Luke added that Tuesday will be the first time all three Hughes brothers play in an organized game at any level.

"We probably talked about it as kids playing mini sticks and stuff," Quinn said. "But as far as this year, they're going to want two points, I'm going to want two points, and everyone's worried about their individual game."

Jack pointed out the contest will be particularly special for Luke, who models his game after his oldest brother.

"I think Quinn's obviously the guy (Luke's) looked up to his whole life," Jack said. "I've played Quinn before, Quinn's played me, but those two have never played against each other, so I think they'll have a lot of fun. I think Luke will get a good kick out of it, for sure."

Parents Ellen and Jim will be in attendance at Vancouver's Rogers Arena, with more friends and family set to take in the Jan. 6 meeting between the Canucks and Devils in New Jersey.

The two older Hughes brothers have been exceptional this season, and the youngest is on a comparable trajectory. Quinn is tied for the league lead in scoring among defenders with 34 points in 25 contests, while Jack boasts a league-high point-per-game rate with 30 points in 17 games. Luke ranks second in rookie scoring and is tops among freshmen defenders.

Puck drop for the "Hughes Bowl" is at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday.