The New Jersey Devils have selected American center Jack Hughes with the first pick in the NHL draft.
Hughes is from Orlando, Florida, and becomes the eighth American selected No. 1, and first since 2016, when the Toronto Maple Leafs chose Auston Matthews.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound play-making center was the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's top-ranked North American prospect. Hughes was chosen ahead of Finland's Kaapo Kakko, who was the top-ranked European prospect.
Top prospect Jack Hughes, of Orlando, Fla., speaks to the media during an NHL hockey draft top prospects media availability in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 20, 2019. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)
Hughes scored 74 goals and added 154 assists to set the USA Hockey National Team Development Program's two-year record with 228 points in 110 games.
The New York Rangers pick second, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks, who jumped to third from 12th in the order after being one of the teams to win the draft lottery.
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Top prospect Jack Hughes, of Orlando, Fla., speaks to the media during an NHL hockey draft top prospects media availability in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 20, 2019. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)