PODCAST: Jack Hughes Joins Our Podcast in Episode 8

The eighth episode of our Road to the Draft podcast is our first episode since the draft itself happened. First-overall pick Jack Hughes joined Matt Loughlin and Amanda Stein to discuss several topics, including his thoughts on the trade for P.K. Subban.
"I think that's awesome," Hughes said. "He's, obviously, a bigger-than-life kind of guy away from the rink so I think that will be pretty cool to get to meet him and be on his team but away from the great person he is, he's a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman so he's a high-end player, a number-one D, and a guy who can log 20-plus minutes. To have him on your team, I think that changes kind of the complexion of your team a little bit."

Hughes also chatted about coming to the New Jersey area.
"I think just being in Hoboken, being in New Jersey, seeing the area, it excites me a lot to be in the area and to get excited for August," he said.
And then the crew gave Hughes some Jersey driving lessons, explaining the gas station situation, circles and more.
When Matt explained circles to Hughes, he hesitated.
"I'll have to carpool with someone," he joked.
He also discussed jersey numbers with Amanda and Matt.

"6 is the family number," he said. "My brother and everyone has kind of worn it. Uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, so that was it growing up. Then I went to 86 for a couple years there and that's kind of what I'm thinking right now. It was 43 at the program. Your 17-year, you're 60-30 and anywhere in between or you're 0-30 for your U-18 year. Quinn wore 43 at Michigan and 43 in his 17-year. It was kind of passed on to be and it was a pretty sweet number. Luke is wearing it next year at the program."
He's still debating his number for the NHL.
"I saw one 43 in the stands at the draft party, but I don't know what I'm leaning toward right now."
Hughes mentioned his plans for the next few weeks.
"I fly right up to Toronto here and I think I'm landing Tuesday night and start training Wednesday," he said. "It will be busy. Obviously, I'll hang out with friends this summer and then try to be dialed in and ready to go for this season. This will be the busiest summer I'll ever have and the most important one too because it's so short. I've got to manage my time well and be able to get everything in that will really benefit me come August."