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LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Jack Hughes

Originally posted on Hockey Royalty | By Kyle Garcia | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 1:01 PM ET

With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Jack Hughes!

Jack Hughes

Birthdate: November 2, 2003

Birthplace: Westwood, Massachusetts

Height: 6’0

Weight: 170 lbs

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Draft: 2nd round, 51st overall, 2022 NHL Entry Draft

2024-25 season

Jack Hughes played in all 40 games for Boston University, tallying 25 points (7 G, 18 A) in his senior year. Hughes played up and down the lineup for BU at both the center and wing positions. Hughes’ 18 assists and 25 points were both career-highs in his four years of collegiate hockey, and he was 47.2% in the faceoff circle.

Great work by Hughesy to force a turnover and help set up Quinn’s 10th goal of the season!

Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/Cfes0QEYfA @hockey_east | @espn pic.twitter.com/t1Qi7xfMIZ

— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 11, 2025

That’s three straight games with a goal for Hughesy!!

Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/Cfes0QFw58 @hockey_east | @NESN | @espn pic.twitter.com/NX6rZXN40T

— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 18, 2025

Hughes and BU made it to the NCAA title game, but their dreams of being national champions came up short in a 6-2 loss to Western Michigan University. Hughes finished his collegiate career with 76 points (26 G, 50 A) in 149 games.

DOGS BITE FIRST! Jack Hughes gets the Terriers on the board first with 18:25 left in the second period!#MFrozenFour x ESPN2 / @TerrierHockey pic.twitter.com/QeK5L10tdg

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 11, 2025

2025-26 outlook

Hughes wasn’t signed right away after his collegiate season, unlike fellow prospect Jared Wright. Instead of signing his entry-level contract, the former second-round pick inked an AHL contract for two years.

Welcome aboard the #ReignTrain!

We’ve signed forward Jack Hughes to a two-year AHL contract!

https://t.co/wywElxagdo pic.twitter.com/GTpPnPdxm1

— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) July 3, 2025

Hughes will now have a chance to prove himself worthy of an NHL contract in these two years. Having played up and down the lineup, Hughes can be a versatile player for Andrew Lord’s squad whenever he is slotted into the lineup, but his offensive ceiling is low.

Known for his complete game in his draft year, his offensive game will need to be consistent, which was a problem during his time at BU. The next two years will be huge for the Hughes and the Kings; otherwise, the daunting reality of a second-round pick, in a draft they didn’t have a first-round pick, not panning out, will be a nightmare.

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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