On April 6, 2023, the New Jersey Devils absolutely demolished the Columbus Blue Jackets, 8-1. This was good. While the Devils were routing the Jackets, Michigan took on Quinnipiac in the Frozen Four semifinals in Tampa Bay. The winner: a national championship against Minnesota. The loser: Their season was over. Devils fans and hockey fans have heard repeatedly that the New Jersey Devils, be it from Tom Fitzgerald or Dan MacKinnon, intended to sign Michigan defenseman Luke Hughes once his college season was over. Quinnipiac beat Michigan, 5-2. The wait for Luke Hughes to be signed began.

It has ended this morning on April 8, 2023. The New Jersey Devils announced that Luke Hughes has been signed to a three-season entry level contract. Further, Luke Hughes went up to Boston for this day. He signed the contract in person with GM Tom Fitzgerald. He gave a brief Hughes-ian statement to the social media team. More importantly, he participated in the Devils’ morning skate in Boston. The intent, per Tom Fitzgerald, is that he will play in some games with the Devils as per Tom Fitzgerald in place of some players with the playoffs starting in two weeks.