The Devils selected Hughes with the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft after he led the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team with 112 points (34 goals, 78 assists) in 50 games in 2018-19.

Born in Orlando, Florida, Hughes holds NTDP records for assists (154) and points (228) in 110 games over two seasons. He was the fifth NTDP player selected No. 1 (Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 2016; Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, 2007; Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues, 2006; Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders, 2000).

He led the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) for the United States, which finished third. He set a tournament record with 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 14 games over two tournaments (2018, 2019), passing Alex Ovechkin, who had 31 points (23 goals, eight assists) in 14 games for Russia at the 2002 and 2003 tournaments.

Hughes played 61 games for the Devils as an 18-year-old and scored 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) before the 2019-20 season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

His older brother, Quinn, is a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks and was the No. 7 pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.