Jack Hughes grew up in Toronto as Leafs ties helped shape Team USA's Olympic gold run

The Hughes family was ready to make a move back to the United States, but there was one decision left to be made that could keep a young Jack Hughes in Ontario.

Jim Hughes, the patriarch of the Hughes family, was let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs as the team's director of player development in 2015, but a year later, one tough question remained.

Jack Hughes had grown up in Mississauga, and the Hughes family had a second home from the United States in Michigan, creating two worlds for Hughes, and two opportunities.

Hughes was able to play for both his birth country of the United States, or the country he'd been playing in for years in Canada.

One big factor was going to be a potential decider in his future. Having built hype as one of the best players to come out of the GTA region, arguably it's best since Connor McDavid insurmountable hype even back before the OHL.

Hughes had the chance at exceptional status, making him join an exclusive list that included McDavid, along with Sidney Crosby and John Tavares. Hughes prepared for what was a potential acceptance, having the pedigree and hype, and a personal visit the Guelph Storm, who owned the first pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

Then came the news that changed everything. Hughes was informed by the Canadian Hockey League that he would not be gaining exceptional status.

Hughes, who had been undersized and lacking a physical edge, was seen as a risky bet for being thrown into an under-20 league as a small 15-year-old.

On the surface, it looked like a sensible decision by the CHL to avoid giving Jack Hughes exceptional status given his size, despite his offensive talent, but after his gold medal winning goal at the 2026 Olympics for the Americans against Canada, things potentially could have been different.

As Hughes was looking at his future, he spent his now-OHL draft eligible season in 2017 in Toronto, where he had been projected to the draft's top prospect, but there was a major catch, Hughes was now unlikely to stay in Canada.

Rumors began to circulate about Hughes heading back to the United States, likely to join the USA National Team Development Program (NTDP), forgoing the chance at first overall.

Despite being the top prospect, the Barrie Colts went with Nick Suzuki as the top pick, Jack Hughes going eight to Mississauga. It wasn't known if Hughes would indeed go the U.S. route or if he just pulled off dropping down to his desired team.

Unfortunately for Mississauga, Hughes indeed went the American path, and ended up the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

But known of Hughes picking the United States in his draft year, what is less known is that in considering his international future, Canada had been an option, but ultimately lost what was their eventual heartbreaker.

It was still unlikely that Jack Hughes would have suited up for the Canadian team had he gained exceptional status, but it likely would have kept him from a return to America, and some in the OHL will say it cost them a potential international.

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