When USA Hockey's new U18 coach Dan Muse introduced himself with a phone call to top-rated 2021 NHL draft prospect Luke Hughes ahead of the opening of training camp in Plymouth on Monday, the former Nashville Predators' assistant coach had a quick greeting for the youngest of the three hockey-playing Hughes.
"The first thing I said to him was I can't tell you how excited I am coaching one of you guys instead of coaching against," Muse said on a Zoom conference call on Friday to introduce him and former Red Wings assistant coach Adam Nightingale of Cheboygan as the head coaches with the National Team Development Program.