Jack Hughes is the first overall pick!

The dilemma has been settled. 

With the first overall pick, the New Jersey Devils selected Jack Hugues tonight at the 2019 NHL Entry draft. The announcement was made by legendary netminder Martin Brodeur. 

The American forward has been the consensus first overall selection for months now and it’s clear to see why. Hughes has a complete offensive game and is equally adept at filling the net as he is at making plays. At just 5 foot, 10 inches and 168 pounds, he’s not the biggest player in the draft, but his speed and his “escapability” make him able to compete, and dominate, against much larger players.

 “I’m a fun player to watch. I’m exciting. I’m high skilled,” says Hughes when asked to describe his game. “The big thing is I just want to win. Lots of guys have skills. My internal motor, my internal drive is what separates me. I like to think I’m a complete player.”

Hughes absolutely smashed records for the USNTDP this past season, scoring 34 goals and 112 points in 50 games in 2018-19. Look for him to step right into the NHL in 2019-20 and to be an offensive contributor from the start.

Check out some of his highlights: 

Here are the first 31 picks of the 2019 NHL Draft: 

1. C Jack Hughes - New Jersey Devils 

2. RW Kaapo Kakko - New York Rangers 

3. C Kirby Dach - Chicago Blackhawks 

4. D Bowen Byram - Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa)

5. C Alex Turcotte - Los Angeles Kings 

6. D Moritz Seider - Detroit Red Wings 

7. C Dylan Cozens - Buffalo Sabres 

8. D Philip Broberg - Edmonton Oilers 

9. C Trevor Zegras - Anaheim Ducks

10. RW Vasili Podkolzin - Vancouver Canucks 

11. The Philadelphia Flyers traded their pick to the Arizona Coyotes in return for the 14th overall pick and the 45th overall pick. 

      D Victor Soderstrom - Arizona Coyotes 

12. LW Matthew Boldy - Minnesota Wild 

13. G Spencer Knight - Florida Panthers 

14. D Cameron York - Philadelphia Flyers (traded from Arizona) 

15. RW Cole Caufield - Montreal Canadiens 

16. C Alex Newhook - Colorado Avalanche 

17. C Peyton Krebs - Vegas Golden Knights 

18. D Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars 

19. D Lassi Thomson - Ottawa Senators (from Columbus) 

20. D Ville Heinola - Winnipeg Jets (from New York Rangers)

21. RW Samuel Poulin - Pittsburgh Penguins 

22. D Tobias Bjornfot - Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto) 

23. RW Simon Holmstrom - New York Islanders 

24. RW Philip Tomasino - Nashville Predators 

25. C Connor McMichael - Washington Capitals 

26. LW Jakob Pelletier - Calgary Flames 

27. LW Nolan Foote - Tampa Bay Lightning 

28. C Ryan Suzuki - Carolina Hurricanes 

29. LW Brayden Tracey - Anaheim Ducks (From San Jose - Buffalo)

30. F John Beecher - Boston Bruins 

31. D Ryan Johnson - Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis)