Hockey gave the Hughes family everything decades before Olympic glory — and then they conquered the world

The first family of American hockey called Canada home.

Quinn and Jack Hughes, born 19 months apart in Florida, followed the path of their father’s coaching career. Jim was an assistant with the Orlando Solar Bears and the Boston Bruins, then joined New Hampshire’s Manchester Monarchs in 2003, when his youngest son, Luke, was born.

In 2006, the family crossed the border, settling in the Lorne Park neighborhood of Mississauga, Ontario, after Jim was hired as an assistant for the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, later becoming Toronto’s director of player development.

The family remained there for nearly a decade. It was home, longer than anywhere else. Where they made friends. Where they scored goals. Where they kissed girls. 

The brothers felt like they owned the streets of Ontario, the site of so many of their hockey games. They lived at Wedgewood Park, turning ice-covered tennis courts into an outdoor rink. They soaked up every second at Scotiabank Arena, given access to the Maple Leafs locker room.

It is where three young boys watched Team USA face Canada in the 2010 gold medal game with several friends at a restaurant in their local hockey facility. Canada was less than 25 seconds from gold, leading 2-1 in Vancouver, when Zach Parise quieted the country with the game-tying goal.