Since being drafted 7th overall in 2018, Quinn Hughes has become a pivotal piece in the Canucks present and their future. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut on March 28, 2019 and since then, the defenseman has played in 412 games, accumulating 57 goals and 335 assists for 392 points.
Not only did Hughes have his best season statistically last season, he did it all while wearing the ‘C’ for the first time. Hughes was named the 15th captain in Vancouver Canucks history on September 11, 2023 and led his team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. The Canucks lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers, but it was still an impressive postseason run for the first time captain. Hughes had 10 assists in 13 games during the postseason.
The 2024 Norris trophy winner is in his second season as captain, and while the team is having a drop in performance from last year, Hughes is on pace to break his records from last season. He had 17 goals and 75 assists for 92 points in 82 games in the 2023-2024 season. So far, in only 47 games, Hughes already has 14 goals and 45 assists for 59 points. Hughes has the potential to go beyond his stats from last season in less games, as he has missed some time due to a hand injury.
Last year it was easy to see Hughes' leadership through the Canucks having an amazing season and getting to the playoffs. This year, it’s glaringly obvious he is dragging the team through the mud to get them into a fighting chance at the playoffs. The Canucks play significantly better when Hughes is on the ice. The amount of offence the defenseman generates is massive. As of January 29, 2025, in 5-on-5 play the Canucks have outscored opponents 49-34 when Hughes is on the ice, whereas without him, they’ve been outscored 64-43. The difference in shot attempts is huge as well. With Hughes on the ice, the Canucks are +257, and without him they are -344. It’s starting to feel like the captain can’t take a break without his team falling apart.
The defenseman is currently playing through a hand injury, one that doesn’t have a lot of information surrounding it, but can be seen when he’s not playing or takes his glove off. He also took a stick to the face and played with a bubble earlier in the season. Even the other day in Vancouver’s loss to the Dallas Stars, Hughes was clearly in some type of discomfort during the last few minutes of the game, but he still went out to complete his shift on the ice. If that doesn’t prove just how hard he works for his team, I don’t know what does.
Hughes has only been playing for the Canucks organization for 7 seasons, but he’s already breaking records. He holds the record for all-time assists by a Canucks defenceman when he surpassed Alex Edler earlier this season. Edler had 310 assists in 924 games. Hughes did it in 388 games.
Not only is Hughes one of the best players in the league currently, he is a fan favourite for those even outside of Vancouver. The Canucks captain is a player who most want on their team, but so far Vancouver have him locked down.
*Stats taken from NHL.com and Amazon Monday Night Hockey
Edited By Neha Grewal
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