Devils Sign Top Overall Pick Jack Hughes

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By WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM/66AM New York

Jack Hughes is now officially a New Jersey Devil.

The Devils on Friday signed Hughes, the first overall pick in last month's NHL draft, to the maximum three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual value of $925,000 and performance bonuses, the team announced.

"You dream to play in the NHL and you grow up dreaming of that, thinking about it," the 18-year-old center said in a video posted on the Devils' website. "I mean, looking outside the window at school thinking about that moment. A contract's another step toward that goal. 

It’s official now. Jack Hughes is a New Jersey Devil. pic.twitter.com/T2bez6WsUX

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) July 12, 2019

"It's much more than just the New Jersey Devils. There's a lot that comes with it -- a lot of responsibility, a lot of things you kind of take with pride, the kind of place where you treat the janitor with as much respect as you do with the president."

In 2018-19, Hughes, who was born in Florida and now lives in Michigan, led the National Development Team with 34 goals and 78 assists (112 points) in 50 games. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Hughes set the record for most points in Development Team history with 190 over two seasons (60 goals, 130 assists). He also represented the U.S. in the U20 World Junior Championships in December and won a silver medal in the U18 World Junior Championships.