Elias: Jack Hughes Breaking Record 'A Great Accomplishment' | FEATURE

Patrik Elias could see it coming.
"When you paid attention to his progress," Elias said, "it was like okay, it's just a matter of time."
And that time is now.
Count Elias among those who were watching closely - and excitedly - as Jack Hughes was inching closer to his points in a single season record. So, with five games left in the Devils regular season, Elias picked up his phone to text Jack.
"I just told him, you've got only five games left and six points to go. And there he goes puts up a four point night," Elias shared through a laugh, "I was pretty sure he was going do it, being only one point away (when he texted Jack), but if it didn't happen, it would be just a matter of time when he's going to do it. He's just that offensively talented. And it's funny, I shouldn't have poked the bear, I guess, even though I guess he wasn't really sleeping."
On Saturday night against the Boston Bruins, Jack Hughes tied Elias' record with his 96th point in his 76th game of the season, with the primary assist on Jesper Bratt's opening goal.
Tonight, in the regular season home finale, Hughes scored an empty-net goal let to register his 97th point of the campaign.
It took 22 years and five days for someone to breakElias's record team record and Elias could not think of a better player to do it.
"I've obviously been watching him since the Day One in the draft" Elias said, "and his progress and the strides he has been making and you know, being that close, I think it's more special to do it when the team is doing well. And that's the most important thing. And he's been the motor for this team this year. So when he goes the team goes, and it's a great accomplishment."

The night was April 6, 2001 when Elias set the original record of 96 points. It was Game 81 of the 2000-01 season and he had a four-point night. He had two goals, one at even strength, another on the power play and two assists, just before his 25th birthday. And since that day the record has stood the test of time, until now.
Hughes entered the final three games of the season one point behind Elias for the club record, more than enough runway in a season for a player of Hughes' caliber. And the 21-year-old wanted it, had it in his sight, and wasn't afraid to make his intentions known. Jack has always been unabashedly himself, carrying himself with an enviable self-confidence, he's brash in the best of ways, and has the talent to back it all up.
"I want to break that bad boy, we're not just going to sit on that," Hughes grimaced, standing on Prudential Center ice after his four-point night against Columbus. "I want that record."
And while it's been great holding onto the record, Elias wants it for Jack too and had no issues hearing about Jack making it known he was gunning for his record, and the confidence he had it was going to happen.
That, after all, is Jack.
"A friend of mine told me (what Jack said), and he goes 'look at these young kids, they have no respect' I'm like, come on he's just being himself," Elias quipped, "And obviously it's great to have goals and for him, I was the same way. I wanted to get to a certain point throughout the season when I knew I was playing well, I want had to go get 30 goals, 40 goals, get to 80 points, get to 90 points and then eventually break the record. So I think that's a testament to the player, that they push themselves and they want to get better."
Elias understands the mentality that Hughes has, the desire and want to be better, be the best, to make the biggest impact. All elite players have that similar drive in them, that's why they are elite. But what Elias really does appreciate is the team-first mentality, while still chasing those goals. Every time, over the past few days, that Hughes was asked about Elias' record, he prefaced it all with wanting to help the team first, noting the better he does, the better the team becomes. The two go hand-in-hand.
"I would be probably the same way, especially being that close and kind of pushing myself. You don't just want to just go for those for those goals, and for those records, because at the end of the day, it is all about winning, but you see it with the best players in the world, Sideny Crosby, if I look at him, even (Connor) McDavid, it always takes a little bit time to realize how important the winning of the whole team is over over the points. They still get it done no matter what, because that's how good they are. But it's good for him. I'm happy."
Elias is looking forward to joining the Devils in New Jersey next week, an opportunity to congratulate Jack in person and also be along for the ride as the team heads into their first post-season since 2018. What comes next is a whole new experience, the game is the same, Elias says, but it's also different.
"It's a long road to get to the first goal which is putting yourself in a position to go into playoffs, which we did," he said. "And hopefully if they can get that win either tonight or the next game to have the home ice advantage that's big also. And then you see where the team is when it's going to count, mentally, physically hockey-wise, I'm excited about this team."