New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) has his shot knocked away by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
January 29, 2026 - 11:25 AM
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes left Thursday night's game against Nashville in the first period did not return at the start of the second.
Hughes skated just three shifts. He took one shift and went to the locker room before returning for another and then heading down the tunnel again followed by a trainer — all in the first 7:30 of the game. He logged 2 minutes, 27 seconds of ice time.
The team did not announce any injury status for Hughes.
The 24-year-old missed five weeks earlier this season after injuring his right thumb at a team dinner and undergoing surgery Nov. 15 on it. Hughes had 14 points in his first 16 games back, including a pair of assists Tuesday night in a 4-3 home loss to Winnipeg.
Hughes' latest absence comes two weeks before the U.S. is set to play its first game at the Milan Cortina Olympics. USA Hockey has already made one change to its 25-player roster, with Jackson LaCombe replacing injured defenseman Seth Jones.
Hughes, along with brother Quinn, is a first-time Olympian. The U.S. has two sets of brothers, with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk also on the team.
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