With brothers in NHL, Luke Hughes takes center stage at NTDP
With his brothers Quinn and Jack now in the NHL Luke Hughes now becomes the focal point of attention in the Hughes family and a lot of the hockey world.
Despite the fact that he does not turn 16 until early next month, Luke – who, like Quinn, is a defenseman – will play for the U.S. U-17 team at the National Team Development Program this season and has already committed to the University of Michigan, where Quinn played two seasons, for the 2021-22 season.
A few months before that, Luke likely will follow in his older brothers’ footsteps by being a high pick in the NHL draft.
Quinn, now with the Vancouver Canucks, was taken seventh overall in 2018, and Jack (New Jersey Devils) was taken first overall in this year’s draft.
At 5-11 and 154 pounds, Luke played with the Little Caesars Midget Minor team in 2018-19. And, like his older brothers, his skating is the best part of his game.
Patrik Stefan – who was the first overall pick in the 1999 NHL draft – has coached Luke the past two seasons. Recently he compared Luke and Quinn as defensemen.
“They are a little bit different, but in the ways they excel, it’s very similar,” Stefan said on www.sportsnet.ca. “The way they skate the puck up, it’s almost impossible to hit (them).”
Luke had 22 goals and 61 assists for 83 points in 71 games last season.
Stefan’s son James was Luke’s teammate the past two campaigns.
“His stride is the same as Quinn’s,” James said of Luke. “It’s so weird, but it picks up so much speed. It’s crazy. You see him at the goal line (and) he’ll be at the next goal line in no time. The creative part of his game is off the charts. He makes moves that not a lot of players can do.”
Ferschweiler returns to Broncos
After four years as an assistant coach for the Red Wings organization, Pat Ferschweiler is heading back to Kalamazoo.
Western Michigan announced that Ferschweiler has been hired as an assistant coach by the program. He had coached there from 2010-14 before joining the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League as an assistant coach. He was hired as an assistant coach for Detroit in 2015.
Ferschweiler played at WMU from 1990-1993.
Mastrosimone on the mend
Forward Robert Mastrosimone, whom the Red Wings selected in the second round (54th overall) in June’s NHL draft, was originally selected to play for Team USA in the World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth this month.
But he broke his ankle blocking a shot at Detroit’s Development Camp in June and was forced to sit on the sidelines.
General manager Steve Yzerman likes Mastrosimone’s potential.
"He's really a skilled, competitive kid with great hands and great hockey sense," Yzerman said. "He needs to fill out, but his skill level and hands are exciting."
Mastrosimone, 5-10 and 158 pounds, had 31 goals and 60 points in 54 games with Chicago of the United States Hockey League last season.
This fall he’ll begin his freshman year at Boston University.
"I can't wait to be part of that little rivalry” – Boston University vs. Boston College, he told NHL.com. "That's going to be great. Growing up on Long Island (East Islip, New York), I got to know a lot of Boston guys, which is awesome."