A Historic NHL 25 Cover Selection: The Hughes Brothers Shine
EA Sports has made a groundbreaking choice for the cover of NHL 25, featuring siblings Jack, Luke, and Quinn Hughes. This marks the first time in the franchise’s history that siblings have graced the cover, making it a significant moment not just for the Hughes family, but for the wider hockey community.
"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," said Quinn Hughes. Indeed, being showcased on the cover of an NHL video game is one of the most honored accolades in professional ice hockey, signaling both popularity and respect within the sport.
Set for release on October 4, NHL 25 arrives with heightened excitement as it introduces the "Ice-Q" feature, described by EA Sports as a significant enhancement to the gameplay experience. Chris Haluke of EA Sports explained, “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 Hughes brothers’ inclusion makes perfect sense as icons of the current NHL landscape. Jack and Luke Hughes play for the New Jersey Devils, while Quinn Hughes, freshly awarded the prestigious Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, captains the Vancouver Canucks. Their skill and dynamism have captivated fans and analysts alike, making this development a fan-favorite move.
Their remarkable talent comes as no surprise when considering the Hughes family background. Their father, Jim Hughes, captained Providence College and served as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He currently works as the director of 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 also brings experience as a coach and broadcaster to the family’s rich athletic pedigree.
Drafted seventh by the Canucks in 2018, Quinn Hughes has quickly established himself as one of the premier defensemen in the league. "For them to decide to attach their brand with the three of us was pretty cool," Quinn commented on the landmark decision by EA Sports. Jack Hughes was the first overall pick for the Devils in 2019, and Luke followed as the fourth pick for the Devils in 2021.
"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,'" Jack Hughes remarked. Growing up on NHL video games, the brothers find their appearance on the cover especially meaningful. "We were the same way growing up, and it's another really special opportunity that we grabbed at when it came toward us, and I think we're really excited with the final product," he added.
A Family Affair in the NHL
It’s not just the cover of a video game that has cemented their legacy; the Hughes brothers have also made history on the ice. On December 5, in a highly anticipated game, they faced off in an NHL match for the first time. The New Jersey Devils emerged victorious with a 6-5 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Jack contributed three points, Luke netted a goal, and Quinn finished with two points in a thrilling family affair that captured fans’ imaginations.
This game marked only the second time in NHL history that three brothers from an American family played in the same match, underscoring the unique place the Hughes family holds in American ice hockey lore.
Beyond their NHL careers, the Hughes brothers have honed their skills through the United States National Team Development Program and earned medals in various international events, further solidifying their status as elite players both domestically and globally.
Anticipation Building for NHL 25
With the NHL season opening soon with a marquee match between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia, the release of NHL 25 couldn’t come at a better time. Fans are eagerly awaiting how the new features, especially “Ice-Q,” will revolutionize their gaming experience. The endorsement of the Hughes brothers adds an emotional and symbolic layer to the game's debut.
As Luke Hughes put it succinctly, "I think we grew up on the [video] game." That nostalgic connection, combined with their undeniable skill, makes their appearance on the NHL 25 cover a momentous occasion for the Hughes family and hockey fans worldwide.