Breaking New Ground: The Hughes Brothers Grace NHL 25 Cover
EA Sports has made a historic decision for the cover of NHL 25, featuring none other than the Hughes brothers—Jack, Luke, and Quinn. This marks the first time in the franchise's history that siblings have graced the cover, adding a unique touch to an already anticipated release.
The highly awaited NHL 25, featuring the new "Ice-Q" feature, will hit the shelves on October 4. The release is set against the backdrop of an exciting opening match for the NHL season between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia. Brothers Jack and Luke Hughes are teammates for the Devils, while Quinn captains the Vancouver Canucks.
“I think all of us are just honored because it's a hard thing to be on the cover, and there are so many great players in the league,” Quinn Hughes said, encapsulating the pride and excitement felt by the brothers.
Jack and Luke were both top picks for the Devils, with Jack being the first overall pick in 2019 and Luke selected fourth in 2021. Quinn made his mark by being picked seventh by the Canucks in 2018. Quinn’s standout performance was further solidified when he recently earned the prestigious Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.
Their father, Jim Hughes, has a rich hockey legacy. A former captain at Providence College, Jim also served as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He is currently the director of player development for the Maple Leafs. Their mother, Ellen Hughes, was a multi-sport athlete at the University of New Hampshire, played on the US women’s national hockey team that won a silver medal at the 1992 world championships, and has experience as both a coach and broadcaster.
“I think we grew up on the [video] game,” Luke Hughes reminisced, a sentiment many fans can relate to. Growing up immersed in the sport and its digital counterpart, this achievement brings their journey full circle.
All three brothers have honed their skills at the United States National Team Development Program and have won medals in various international events. The trio first faced off in an NHL game on December 5, a memorable match where the Devils edged out the Canucks 6-5. Jack scored three points, Luke netted a goal, and Quinn contributed with two points. This historic game was only the second time an American family had three brothers playing in the same NHL match.
Quinn Hughes reflected on this unique opportunity, saying, “For them to decide to attach their brand with the three of us was pretty cool.” The endorsement from EA Sports is not just a nod to the brothers' individual talents but also to their collective impact on the sport.
Jack Hughes added, “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.' 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.”
Chris Haluke, involved in the game's development, explained the decision: “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.”
As October 4 approaches, the anticipation surrounding NHL 25 continues to build. Fans are eager to experience the new features, and the symbolic endorsement of the Hughes brothers on the cover undoubtedly adds to the excitement. With their rich family legacy, individual achievements, and collective impact on hockey, the Hughes brothers are not just breaking new ground—they're setting a new standard.