For any professional hockey player, the eventual transition to a post hockey career can be complicated and full of mixed emotions.  Being used to waking up every day to play the game you love is a career many kids dream of doing, but once that dream ends, many players are left with the question ‘what’s next?’

Fortunately for Gunnar Hughes, that question has been answered.  The former Adirondack Thunder player has found success in a career away from the ice with State and Liberty Clothing Company, which specializes in providing high-end dress shirts and suits specifically tailored to the physique and shape of athletic men.  

However, the path wasn’t always straightforward for the Chicago native.

Hughes grew up in a hockey-crazed family, playing the game from the time he could strap on the skates.

When he turned 15 he attended Salisbury Prep School in Connecticut where he played two seasons on the Men’s hockey team. It was there Hughes realized he had the potential to play hockey at a higher level and where he made some of his favourite hockey memories.

“We won the New England Championship my sophomore year which was probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey,” said Hughes. “Every kid from the school would be out at our games watching. It was a pretty great experience.” 

From there, Hughes left Salisbury and moved to Waterloo, Iowa to play for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2010-11 season. It was there he continued to develop his game and set his sights on playing NCAA Men’s D1 Hockey.  

“That year in Waterloo was like playing pro when you’re 18 years old,” said Hughes. “It was such a fun time, I was going to school with a bunch of the guys. We had a young team with a some really good players.”

It was also during that season with Waterloo when Hughes went to visit his brother George who was a sophomore on the St. Lawrence University Men’s hockey team.  Hughes took in a game at the historic Appleton Arena, joined the team for a night out, and got a taste of what being part of an NCAA D1 hockey program was all about.

After that visit, there was no doubt in his mind that is where he wanted to take the next stage of his hockey career. With an offer on the table, Hughes chose to attend St. Lawrence as a true freshman the next season.

“I was getting the opportunity to play with my brother for two years.  That, coupled with the unbelievable school history and strength of the hockey program made it an easy decision to attend St. Lawrence really.”

Having the opportunity to play with his brother for his freshman and sophomore seasons was huge for Hughes and his development on and off the ice.

“My brother was a big influence on me and definitely helped make the transition from the USHL to NCAA much easier,” said Hughes. “He was such a good hockey player, I honestly learned so much just from watching his game. We were different players, but it helped me see the game from his perspective and I was able to learn a lot from him in those two years.”

In his third year at St. Lawrence Hughes was named an assistant captain and helped lead the Saints to the ECAC Tournament in Lake Placid, NY. The following season Hughes was named Captain and helped upset Clarkson in their rink to solidify an impressive four-year collegiate career that consisted of Hughes playing 143 games, scoring 28 goals and 45 assists for 73 points.

After Hughes wrapped up his collegiate career at St. Lawrence, he had his sights set on turning pro. He tested the waters in Europe, but ultimately decided to come back home and signed a deal with Adirondack in the ECHL for the 2015-16 season. With his goal to ultimately get a shot at playing in the American Hockey League (AHL), Adirondack was the perfect fit for Hughes to start his professional hockey career.

“It was only three hours away from home which was nice,” said Hughes. “There was also a number of AHL teams in the area which was important to me because I really wanted a chance to work for an opportunity to play at the AHL level.”

While reflecting back on his time with Adirondack, Hughes had nothing but praise for the organization. He credits his coach from that season Cail MacLean for giving him an opportunity to succeed.

“Playing under Cail MacLean was huge for me and my development.  He was such a good players coach, he played the game himself and really understood what guys were going through. When you’re a guy on an East Coast contract wanting to move up, he’ll give you the opportunity to prove that you deserve it.  And if you can prove it, you will get your chance.”

At the end of that season Hughes got his chance. Called up on load by the Albany Devils, Hughes suited up for three games where he recorded one assist. Although his time there was short, the experience Hughes gained on the ice and in the dressing room was invaluable.

“It was great, it’s what I wanted.  I wanted to get a shot and see how I could play at that level,” said Hughes. “You honestly learn so much from being up there and playing with those guys. We had guys in that locker room with years of NHL experience. You get to see their every day habits and the way they showed up to the rink. There was so much I could learn and pick up and add to my game.”

Hughes returned to Adirondack for the 2016-17 season where he posted 27 points in 69 games. It was also during that season when Hughes became more familiar with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) and aware of the services they provide players.

“I was lucky to have Mathieu Brodeur as our PHPA Player Representative in Adirondack,” said Hughes. “He was really into his role with the PHPA and did a great job explaining how important they were for us guys. It was great to know we always had someone to take care of us and look out for us and they offered a ton of programs that I know a lot of players used.”

It was following that season in Adirondack when Hughes was faced with the decision on whether to move on from playing pro hockey or not.

“That summer, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I wanted to play, but I also wanted to start working at some point.  Ultimately, I made the decision that I was ready to move on from hockey. It’s the toughest decision in the world when all you know is hockey and going to the rink every day and hanging out with the guys.”

With his mind made up, Hughes moved back to Boston and began networking, meeting with people, and figuring out what he wanted to do for work.

That’s when he met up with long-time family friend Lee Moffie, Co-Founder of State & Liberty Clothing Company. Moffie, whose hockey career mimicks that of Hughes, understood all too well the transition into life after playing professional hockey and invited him to come work with him at State & Liberty.   

Not ready to settle into the typical 9-5 desk job position quite yet, Hughes jumped on the opportunity and started getting involved selling State & Liberty apparel.

“I was still figuring out exactly what I wanted to do when I started working for Lee,” said Hughes. “From there I realized I liked doing sales and was actually pretty good at it and things grew from there.”

Hughes started out in Boston, then eventually moved to Chicago where he helped open a State & Liberty store and get it off the ground. Now over a year later, Hughes is Director of Retail for State & Liberty and finds himself in New York City helping make new connections, while building the brand around the city and running their latest store.

The frequent travel moving around from city to city hasn’t phased Hughes and he embraces the opportunities he has been given.

“I’m grateful the company has given me the opportunity to work and travel,” said Hughes. “It’s pretty cool, it kind of gives me the feeling of living out of the old duffle bag similar to my playing days. I definitely think hockey has helped make this transition to work easier for me and has allowed me to be doing what I am doing now.”

The company that is primarily an e-commerce business with stores in Boston, Chicago, D.C, and New York has solidified themselves as the go-to brand for professional athletes when it comes to athletic dress wear apparel. With many high-profile professional athletes including several NHLers and PHPA Members now wearing State & Liberty it’s not uncommon for Hughes to interact with them on a regular basis.

“We’ve received a lot of support from pro hockey players across the NHL, AHL, and ECHL which is great,” said Hughes. “Being in New York right now, we’ve had guys from the Rangers, Islanders and Devils come to the store. It’s easy interacting with those guys too because at the end of the day we are all cut from the same cloth and grew up playing in those same dressing rooms.”

Hughes can definitely see himself staying with State & Liberty for the long haul and striving to grow and develop their brand across the globe.

“It’s an opportunity I just kind of walked into and I love it,” said Hughes. “I really enjoy working for a small company because there is no off switch.  You are always working, and I feel I can thrive in that kind of environment.”

When it comes to hockey and getting back involved with the game Hughes says it’s on his radar one day, but for now there is no rush. For now, he enjoys his time working in New York, visiting and spending time with family, and getting away from the city for the occasional fly fishing trip with his buddies.

“I have no regrets whatsoever,” said Hughes. “Overall, I’m happy I got the experience to play in the ECHL, it’s such a good league and was so much fun.  It has been a huge adjustment, but you can’t think the game isn’t going to come to an end. I’m grateful for the opportunity to start working for State & Liberty and can’t wait for what the future has in store for me.”