F T.J. Hughes - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA (2020 Undrafted)

[Torts]

As a Michigan fan I wanted to see what everyone thinks of Michigan's freshman forward T.J. Hughes. Did not find a thread posted already so figured I'd start one. As a freshman this year he has impressed (albeit older than your typical NCAA freshman at the age of 21). Almost a point per game player during his first year in NCAA and very impressive production going back to his AJHL seasons. He's performed and produced while not being on Michigan's top offensive line all season.

He can't be drafted as he's too old but wonder if there's NHL interest after this season which leads to some development camp summer invites then maybe teams keep tabs on him over the next few seasons. I personally think there's a decent chance he could become a middle 6 NHL forward when all is said and done.

T.J. Hughes at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of T.J. Hughes, 2001-11-09 Hamilton, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the NCAA with Univ. of Michigan. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Click to read more...

 

[John Pedro]

Devils should sign him just bc

 

[Random schmoe]

Hughes is attending Washington Caps Development Camp this week.

 

[Torts]

6G & 9A in first 8 games to start the season. Continues to perform in a scoring role for the Wolverines. Wonder if he'll be the kind of player to play out 4 years in NCAA and pick his spot based on team interest.

T.J. Hughes at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of T.J. Hughes, 2001-11-09 Hamilton, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the NCAA with Univ. of Michigan. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[Siludin]

6G & 9A in first 8 games to start the season. Continues to perform in a scoring role for the Wolverines. Wonder if he'll be the kind of player to play out 4 years in NCAA and pick his spot based on team interest.

T.J. Hughes at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of T.J. Hughes, 2001-11-09 Hamilton, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the NCAA with Univ. of Michigan. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

How many times has he been passed over in the draft? Does he have to play all four years to sign somewhere? He's already 21 years old.

edit: I think he's already a UFA and can sign wherever?

 

[Brodeur]

Sounded like he had some ELC offers last spring but he opted to go back to school rather than play in the AHL. If he signs in April, he'd still be required to sign a 2 year ELC. I'm not sure he'd have enough leverage to burn the first year immediately, but sometimes that's the price of business to sign a guy.

Since he's a late birthday, he'd still count as 23 years old if he were to sign in 2025 and would still need to sign a 2 year ELC. So there might be a slight benefit to him turning pro after this season. But it might depend on how much he's enjoying the college experience and how far Michigan gets in the tournament.

The Michigan stats are a bit skewed after they romped over Lindenwood last weekend (19-2 combined score over two games). Hughes had 8 points over those games.

 

[Brodeur]

How many times has he been passed over in the draft? Does he have to play all four years to sign somewhere? He's already 21 years old.

Hughes would have been first eligible in 2020. Jack Quinn, Marco Rossi, Anton Lundell, and Dylan Holloway were prominent late 2001 birthdays drafted that year. Late birthday (post-September 15) North Americans are only eligible twice so Hughes was draft eligible one last time in 2021 before his big year in the AJHL in 2021-22.

Hughes could have signed any time after the 2021 Draft. Sounded like he had offers last season but it made sense for him to go back to school. As per CBA rules, if Hughes had signed this year he would have been required to sign a 3 year ELC as a 21 year old. If he signs in 2024, he signs a 2 year ELC as a 22 year old. So he didn't delay his next contract by going back. Plus he wasn't the type who'd be contending for an NHL spot right away. Going back for another year of college is probably a bit more fun than a year in the AHL.

 

[Son of Petter]

Canucks need to even up the Hughes-o-meter.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

No relation right?

Vancouver would be a great fit

 

[William H Bonney]

No relation right?

Vancouver would be a great fit

Nope, although maybe Jim and Ellen can adopt him

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He has to come out this year. He’s tied for the leading scorer in the NCAA and most his age were graduating last season, while he was in his first year.

 

[Brodeur]

He has to come out this year. He’s tied for the leading scorer in the NCAA and most his age were graduating last season, while he was in his first year.

There are CBA reasons for him to sign, but some non-blue chip guys would rather have another year of college than play in the AHL. Matt Kiersted could have signed after his junior year when he was 22 but he wanted one more shot at a National Title with North Dakota. Riese Gaber just turned 24 and could have signed the past couple of seasons, but he decided he'd rather complete his degree.

The stats for a few of the Michigan guys are a little inflated at the moment after they played Lindenwood last weekend. Hughes had 8 points in those two games.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Now at 8-12-20 and +4 through 16 games. How much of that is Hughes and how much is the result of a strong club facing lesser competition?

 

[Brodeur]

Now at 8-12-20 and +4 through 16 games. How much of that is Hughes and how much is the result of a strong club facing lesser competition?

The top guys feasted against Lindenwood a few weeks back. Not counting that weekend, Hughes has 12 points in 14 games. Michigan's barely over .500 so far, they're definitely not as deep as recent years.

He'll land an ELC eventually, but I don't think he'd be the type of guy to immediately compete for an NHL spot.