Talented defender becomes 15th captain in franchise history
Call him Captain Quinn.
The Vancouver Canucks have named Quinn Hughes the 15th captain in team history. He becomes the first defenseman to wear the C on a full-time basis since Kevin McCarthy from 1979 to 1982.
"It means a great deal to me, especially being in a Canadian market," Hughes said at a press conference at Rogers Arena on Monday morning. "When I moved here five years ago and started playing for the Canucks, I knew right away what a hockey market it is and how important hockey is to the city and the market and the people of Vancouver. So now to be the captain, it's an incredible honour and something that I never dreamed of. And I'm going to try my best."
At just 23, Hughes has emerged as a leader in his first four full seasons with the hockey club having re-written the franchise record book for points by a defenseman. He established a new record with 68 points in 2021-22 and broke his own mark with 76 points last season.
In his brief time in the National Hockey League, Hughes has already represented the Canucks at an All Star Game in 2020 and has emerged as one of the top young defensemen in the game.
"I'm never going to be the loudest guy in the room," Hughes said of his leadership style. "I'm going to be a guy that hopefully can be a leader through his work ethic and in the games. As time goes on, I'll learn more and. more about myself and being a leader. I feel really confident walking into this because of the management and the coaching staff and the people behind me."
The new captain was flanked at the podium by Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin and Head Coach Rick Tocchet. Also in attendance at the press conference were Canucks owner Francesco Aqualini and Hughes' teammates and members of the team's leadership group Elias Pettersson, JT Miller and Thatcher Demko.
"For me, this isn't just the end of learning, it's just the beginning" Hughes said. "I'm going to keep learning from Millsy and Petey and Demmer and different guys in the room and the coaching staff. I'm hoping to be a great leader and I think I will be."
In 283 career NHL games, Hughes has registered 26 goals and 215 assists for 241 points. He became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach the 200 assist mark.
Hughes was the seventh overall selection in the 2018 NHL Draft. He replaces Bo Horvat as captain after Horvat was dealt to the New York Islanders late last January.
