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Quinn and Jack Hughes’ parents are longtime hockey professionals who helped guide their sons to NHL success and Olympic gold. With Jack scoring the overtime game-winner against Canada to secure gold for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Quinn playing a key role on the blue line, their family story has come into focus.
From college hockey to international competition and player development, Jim Hughes and Ellen Weinberg-Hughes built a household centered on the sport. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Jim Hughes Built a Career in Hockey Development
Jim Hughes played defense at Providence College before moving into coaching. He worked as an assistant in the minor leagues and later held player development roles, including a five-year stint as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ director of player development.
Since 2016, Jim has served as director of player development for CAA Hockey. During the 2026 Winter Olympics, he stood inside the family room at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, watching his sons compete.
“For all these families that are in this room right here, it’s a process. It’s a lifetime of experience,” Hughes said to NHLPA.com. “These kids have been going at this since they were eight, nine, 10 and 11. They are trained mentally and physically in preparation. They understand how to play with pressure. They are true professionals.”
2. Ellen Hughes Is an Olympic Coach and Former National Team Player
Ellen Weinberg-Hughes played soccer, lacrosse, and hockey at the University of New Hampshire. She later competed for the U.S. women’s national hockey team and won silver at the 1992 IIHF Women’s World Championships.
In 2023, Ellen became a player development consultant for the U.S. women’s national team. She helped the team win World Championship gold in 2023 and 2025. At the 2026 Olympics, she worked with Team USA while also cheering on her sons.
“Never in a million years did I think that I would be in Italy and have the opportunity to be a part of the women’s Olympic team,” she told The Athletic in February 2026. “And then to have two sons there, you just count your blessings … and hope for a lot of wins.”
“It’s just super special,” Jack told Olympics.com in February 2026. “We’re super happy for our mom. She really enjoys what she’s doing … So it’s pretty cool, all three of us can be a part of our first Olympics together, and hopefully we’re taking home gold medals.”
3. Quinn & Jack Hughes’ Parents Raised Three NHL Players
Quinn, Jack and Luke Hughes all reached the NHL. Quinn was drafted seventh overall in 2018 and now plays for the Minnesota Wild. Jack was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019. Luke joined his brothers in the NHL when he was drafted fourth overall by the Devils in 2021.
The brothers were born in Orlando, Florida, while Jim coached in the minors, but they were largely raised in Mississauga, Ontario.
Ellen once said the boys’ early involvement in sports began simply because they “were always playing.”
4. Quinn Hughes Is Protective of Jack
Jim once described Quinn’s personality and bond with his younger brother.
“You know, Quinn’s got a big heart, and he’s very thoughtful,” Hughes told ESPN in 2019. “No one is a bigger fan of Jack than Quinn. Quinn understands Jack’s capabilities and the interior expectations Jack has.”
5. Quinn & Jack Hughes’ Parents Balanced Hockey and Family
Ellen stepped away from broadcasting in 2009 to focus on raising her sons as Jim’s career in player development required frequent travel.
“We were throwing kids here, throwing kids there,” Ellen told The Athletic in 2018. “That was the best decision we made for our kids as athletes.”
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