He played junior for the Edmonton Oil Kings and was chosen 43rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft. He turned pro with the Phoenix Roadrunners and remained with them through the 1971-72 season. Hughes did make his NHL debut with the California Golden Seals in 1971-72 after they accquired him in the intra-league draft from the Leafs. However that debut only lasted five games and Hughes did not score a point. The Aeros themselves folded in 1978. Hughes spent the 1978-79 season in the Pacific Hockey League and then retired.