In a historical first for the EA Sports NHL franchise, NHL 25 will feature brothers Jack, Luke, and Quinn Hughes on the cover. The Hughes brothers' collective presence symbolizes not only their personal accomplishments but a significant milestone for the video game series.
EA Sports' decision to feature the Hughes siblings highlights the impressive hockey legacy the family represents. This groundbreaking cover announcement comes ahead of NHL 25’s release set for October 4.
The timing is impeccable, as the NHL season will kick off with an exciting match between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia. Rooting for the Devils, fans will have the pleasure of watching two-thirds of the cover trio, Jack and Luke Hughes, in action immediately as the season begins. Meanwhile, Quinn Hughes will be leading the Vancouver Canucks as their captain.
Quinn Hughes has recently cemented his reputation as a formidable defenseman, earning the prestigious Norris Trophy this past season. His leadership and defensive prowess have been well-recognized across the league. Reflecting on the cover honor, Quinn said, "I think all of us are just honored because it's a hard thing to be on the cover and there's so many great players in the league."
The Hughes family has deep roots in hockey, started by their father, Jim Hughes, who captained Providence College and served as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. Currently, Jim is the director of player development for the Maple Leafs. Their mother, Ellen Hughes, was also a multi-sport athlete at the University of New Hampshire and played for the US women’s national hockey team, snagging a silver medal at the 1992 world championships. She has further contributed to the sport through her roles as a coach and broadcaster.
Quinn Hughes was drafted seventh by the Canucks in 2018, followed by Jack Hughes being picked first overall by the Devils in 2019, and then Luke Hughes was selected fourth by the Devils in 2021. Quinn and Luke honed their skills and academic prowess at the University of Michigan, contributing significantly to the college's hockey program.
The narrative of the Hughes brothers intersecting in the NHL reached another pinnacle on December 5, when they faced off against each other in a thrilling match. The Devils emerged victorious with a 6-5 win. Jack Hughes made a notable impact on the game, scoring three points, while Luke added a goal, and Quinn contributed two points for the Canucks. This match was particularly significant as it marked only the second time in NHL history that an American family had three brothers compete in the same game.
The Hughes brothers consistently prove their mettle on an international stage as well, having won medals in various events. Their journey has been heavily influenced by the United States National Team Development Program, where they honed their skills and developed their competitive spirits.
The hype around NHL 25 is not only due to the symbolic cover but also for its new features, including the much-anticipated "Ice-Q" feature. Chris Haluke of EA Sports explained the connection, "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."
Jack Hughes expressed his excitement over being part of this iconic cover, echoing the sentiments of many players and fans, "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.'"
Luke Hughes added, “I think we grew up on the [video] game.” Jack also shared his enthusiasm, "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."
As the release date for NHL 25 approaches, anticipation is building not just for the innovative gameplay but also for the unique representation of hockey family legacy on its cover. The Hughes brothers’ cover marks a poignant moment in the franchise's history, reflecting the evolution of the game and the ongoing legacy of the Hughes family in the NHL.