It’s perhaps no surprise that Hughes started hockey because his brothers played, and he wanted to be just like them.

“Both my brothers played so I just grew into it,” he said. “I was 2 or so when I was playing mini-sticks and playing on ponds. I really started around 4 years old.

“We always wanted to be the best at it, me and my brothers. We played everything — soccer, golf, basketball and baseball. Hockey was what we fell in love with and stuck with it.”

The brothers are very tight and despite living in three different cities, they always find ways to support each other. With Jack and Quinn both playing in the NHL, the trio always find a way to stay connected and of course, the older Hughes' are more than willing to offer advice to their baby brother.

“Tips and tricks along the way [is what we talk about],” said Luke. “There are little things you are doing wrong that I can fix. That is basically it. It is showing me little things whether it is my dad, or my brothers or my mom. That is just from them watching me play if they can and they have two busy schedules. Whenever they are watching, they send me a text or call me.”

Luke followed in Quinn’s footsteps in becoming a defenseman. It wasn’t his original position, but he saw how it was working out for his oldest brother and really wanted to make the change.

“We were both forwards until we were 12 and we moved back because we could see the ice better,” said Luke. “We didn’t always have that offensive talent that we do now.

“For me, I just followed in his footsteps. We are kind of the same player before I grew. Now, I play a little bit different than he does. Back then, it was following in his footsteps because it worked out for him.”

Hughes does have one advantage over his brothers — he is the tallest of the trio.

“The speed is a lot different,” explained Hughes. “You have less time and space to make plays. Watching both my brothers go through it, I kind of knew what to expect. The speed is different than in midget hockey. They are faster, older and stronger; you have to get off the puck faster, so you have more time.”

In addition, he spends time watching video, not only to improve his game but always to learn from some of the top defenseman.

“For me, it’s watching hockey, especially the NHL games that really help me,” said Hughes. “We do a lot of team stuff. I like to watch a game every night so I can learn from the defensemen.

“I wish I could watch the Dallas defenseman more. It’s hard to watch those western guys. I like watching my brother and Morgan Reilly and learning some things they do in the NHL. Someone I play a lot like is Charlie McAvoy. Anytime I can watch him — it’s awesome. I can learn so much from him.”

Right now Hughes is soaking in little tips and tricks from the Under-17 coaching staff — John Wroblewski, Dan Hinote and Mike Leone. Each item is helping him and the team have success.

“You should play fast and move the puck quick and the offense will come,” said Hughes. “You need to worry about playing defense and playing hard, which is something that I have done. That is basically it.

“It is our brand of hockey. We play really fast and we know who we are. We have a pretty good team with a lot of skill and grit. We have a good blend of that. Our power play has been pretty good lately.”

Hughes and his U17 teammates are in the midst of a four-game homestand and will host the Lincoln Stars at USA Hockey Arena this weekend (Jan. 17-18). He is excited to play at home, especially after a tough last few weeks of travel.