A Historic Milestone: Hughes Brothers Grace the Cover of NHL 25
In an unprecedented move, EA Sports has selected siblings Jack, Luke, and Quinn Hughes to be the cover athletes for NHL 25. This decision not only highlights the exceptional talent of these three brothers but also marks a notable first in the franchise's history—never before have siblings adorned the cover together.
The highly anticipated NHL 25 is scheduled for release on October 4, promising fans a slew of new features, with the "Ice-Q" feature being among the most talked about. Chris Haluke, a prominent voice in the development team, praised the Hughes brothers, stating, "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."
The timing of this cover debut is impeccable, coinciding with the NHL season's opening in Prague, where the Buffalo Sabres will face off against the New Jersey Devils. Both Jack and Luke Hughes are players for the Devils, while Quinn Hughes serves as the captain of the Vancouver Canucks. Quinn's role as captain is further elevated by his recent achievement of winning the prestigious Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman.
Speaking about their selection for the cover, Quinn Hughes shared, "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." His brother, Jack, echoed this sentiment, expressing, "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.'" Luke, reflecting on their childhood, mentioned, "I think we grew up on the [video] game."
The brothers’ hockey lineage is rich and storied. Their father, Jim Hughes, was a captain at Providence College and has held assistant coaching positions with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He currently oversees 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 secured a silver medal at the 1992 world championships. Ellen has also served as a coach and broadcaster, further embedding the sport into the family’s DNA.
The Hughes brothers’ paths to the NHL were paved with impressive achievements. Quinn was drafted seventh by the Canucks in 2018, followed by Jack's first overall pick for the Devils in 2019, and Luke's fourth overall selection by the Devils in 2021. Both Quinn and Luke showcased their talents at the University of Michigan, while the trio honed their skills at the United States National Team Development Program, contributing to their status as some of the league’s brightest stars.
Their on-ice synergy was most notably displayed on December 5, when they faced each other in an NHL game for the first time. The highly competitive match ended with a 6-5 victory for the Devils. Jack recorded three points, Luke scored a goal, and Quinn finished with two points. This game was significant as it marked just the second time in NHL history that an American family had three brothers compete in the same match.
Recognition and accolades have followed the brothers on their journey. They have garnered medals in several international events, consistently affirming their high-caliber skills and teamwork. Their latest achievement—gracing the cover of NHL 25—serves as both a symbolic endorsement of their impact on the sport and a testament to their exceptional talent and dedication.
Jack summed up the brothers' collective pride and excitement perfectly: "For them to decide to attach their brand with the three of us was pretty cool." This honor reflects not only their individual skills but also the unity and strength they bring as a family to the sport of hockey.