Quinn Hughes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Quinn Hughes
Hughes with the Minnesota Wild in January 2026
Born	(1999-10-14) October 14, 1999 (age 26) Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Minnesota Wild Vancouver Canucks
National team	United States
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2018 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2019–present

Quintin Jerome Hughes (born October 14, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey player. He is a defenseman for the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League (NHL). Quinn was picked seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He played seven seasons with the Canucks, even becoming their captain in 2023. In 2025, he joined the Wild.

Quinn was a top player before he was drafted. He showed amazing skill as a defenseman right away. In 2020, he was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie. He holds many records for defensemen with the Canucks and in the NHL. In 2024, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman.

Before joining the NHL, Quinn played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He then played college hockey at the University of Michigan. There, he set a record for assists by a freshman defenseman. He was also named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.

Quinn has also played for the United States in international tournaments. He helped them win a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championship. He also played a key role in the American team winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Hockey runs in Quinn's family! His younger brother Jack was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019. His youngest brother Luke was also drafted by the Devils in 2021. Their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, played for the United States women's national ice hockey team. Their father, Jim, worked as a director for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Quinn's Early Life

Quinn Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida. His mother is Ellen Weinberg-Hughes and his father is Jim Hughes. The family lived in Orlando because his father was an assistant coach for the Orlando Solar Bears.

Quinn comes from a family that loves hockey! His mother was a captain for the Wildcats women's hockey team in college. She was a top player and won a silver medal at the 1992 Women's World Championship. She also played defense, just like Quinn. Later, she helped the U.S. women's team win gold medals in 2023, 2025, and at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Quinn's father, Jim, also had a hockey career. He was a team captain in college and worked as a coach and director for different hockey teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In 2006, Quinn's family moved to Toronto. His father got a job with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies. Quinn and his brothers often practiced hockey at an outdoor rink in Toronto.

Quinn's Hockey Journey

Starting Young

Quinn started playing hockey when his family lived in Boston. He first played as a forward. When he was 13, he switched to playing defense.

His family moved to Toronto in 2006. Quinn started skating at a very young age. In elementary school, he even got permission to skate during lunch! He played for the Toronto Marlboros before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in 2015. He chose to play college hockey at the University of Michigan.

Quinn played in the USNTDP with another great player, Brady Tkachuk. In his first year, Quinn scored 7 goals and had 17 assists in 57 games. The next season, he had 4 goals and 22 assists in just 26 games. This made him a top defenseman in the United States Hockey League (USHL).

College Star at Michigan

Hughes playing college hockey in October 2018

Quinn played for the Michigan Wolverines from 2017 to 2019. He was the youngest player in college hockey. In his first season, he had 5 goals and 24 assists in 37 games. His 24 assists were the most ever by a freshman defenseman at Michigan. He was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.

Before the 2018 NHL entry draft, Quinn was seen as a top player. He was known for his amazing skating and ability to move the puck. The Vancouver Canucks drafted him seventh overall. Quinn decided to return to Michigan for his second year. He wanted to win a championship and keep improving his skills.

Quinn finished his college career with the Wolverines. In his second season, he had 5 goals and 28 assists in 32 games. He was the top scorer for the Wolverines. He was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, a big award in college hockey.

Becoming an NHL Pro

In March 2019, Quinn signed a three-year contract with the Canucks. He made his NHL debut on March 28, 2019. In that game, he got his first NHL point, an assist on a goal by Brock Boeser.

Rookie Success with the Canucks

Quinn joined the Canucks for the 2019–20 season. He scored his first NHL goal in a home game against the Los Angeles Kings. He became the youngest Canucks defenseman to score a goal. He quickly started setting records. He was the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to get three power-play assists in multiple games.

Quinn's great start earned him a spot in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. He was voted in by fans! He became the first Canucks rookie to play in the All-Star Game in three years. At the All-Star Skills Competition, he showed off his speed in the Fastest Skater contest.

He continued to break records throughout his rookie season. He led all rookies in points across the league. He was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which goes to the league's best rookie. After the season, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Breaking Records and Becoming Captain

The 2020–21 season started later due to a health challenge. Quinn continued to collect points and match NHL records. He became one of the fastest defensemen in Canucks history to reach 25 and then 30 points. He faced a health challenge in March 2021 but returned to play in April. He finished the season leading all Canucks defensemen in points. He won the Babe Pratt Trophy as the team's best defenseman.

Hughes and Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers during a game in November 2025

In October 2021, Quinn signed a new six-year contract. He quickly set more franchise records. He became the fastest defenseman in Canucks history to reach 100 points. He also had a career-high four points in one game. Quinn continued to improve, setting a new franchise record for most points by a defenseman in a single season with 66 points. He finished the 2021–22 season with 68 points.

He broke his own record for most points by a defenseman in a single season during the 2022–23 season. In March 2023, Quinn became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 200 assists. He did this in just 263 games!

Before the 2023–24 season, Quinn was named the 15th captain in Canucks history. He was the youngest active captain in the NHL. He and his defensive partner, Filip Hronek, helped the Canucks have a great start to the season. Quinn was named the NHL's First Star of the Week in November. He was the first player to reach 30 points in the 2023–24 season. He also became the first Canucks defenseman to reach 40 points in less than 40 games.

Quinn was named to the 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game for the second time. He finished the regular season with 92 points, leading all defensemen in the league. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2024, becoming the first Canucks player to do so. As captain, he led the Canucks to win their division and make the playoffs. They won their first series but lost in the second round.

In November 2024, Quinn reached 300 assists in his NHL career. He was the third-fastest defenseman in NHL history to do this. In December 2024, he became the Canucks' all-time leader in assists by a defenseman. He had 76 points in 68 games during the 2024–25 season. He was also a Norris Trophy finalist for the second time.

In October 2025, Quinn recorded his 410th career point. This made him the Canucks' all-time leader in points by a defenseman. He achieved this record much faster than the previous record holder.

Joining the Minnesota Wild

Hughes during the pre-game warmup prior to his debut with the Wild on December 14, 2025

On December 12, 2025, Quinn was traded to the Minnesota Wild. He played his first game with the Wild on December 14 and scored his first goal with the team that night. In January 2026, Quinn became the fastest player in Wild history to reach 20 points, doing so in just 18 games.

Quinn played against the Canucks for the first time after the trade in April 2026. He said it felt like playing against his brothers or old teammates.

Playing for Team USA

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing the  United States
Winter Olympics
Gold	2026 Milano Cortina
World Championships
Bronze	2018 Denmark
World Junior Championships
Silver	2019 Canada
Bronze	2018 United States
World U18 Championships
Gold	2017 Slovakia

Quinn has proudly represented the United States in international hockey. He always felt it was important to play for his country.

In 2017, Quinn helped the United States under-18 team win a gold medal at the World U18 Championships. He was one of the top-scoring defensemen in that tournament. Later, he joined the U.S. junior team and helped them win a bronze medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

After his freshman year at Michigan, he was the youngest player on the U.S. senior team. He competed at the 2018 World Championship and won another bronze medal.

In 2019, Quinn played in the 2019 World Junior Championships with his brother Jack. They were one of only a few pairs of brothers to play for the U.S. at this tournament. Quinn helped lead the team to the gold medal game, where they won a silver medal.

In January 2026, Quinn was named to the U.S. roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He scored his first Olympic goal in an overtime win against Sweden. On February 22, the U.S. team won their first Olympic gold medal since 1980! Quinn was voted the Best Defender of the tournament. He also set records for assists and points by an American defenseman in a single Olympic tournament.

How Quinn Plays

Quinn is known for his smooth skating and quick movements. He says he tries to play like NHL defensemen Duncan Keith and Kris Letang. A coach who knew Quinn since he was 13 said Quinn can "slow down time" to make the best play with the puck.

When the Canucks drafted him, their general manager praised his dynamic skating. He also liked Quinn's ability to quickly move the puck. Hockey experts describe Quinn as one of the best young defensemen in the NHL. At his first NHL All-Star game, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was amazed by Quinn's skills.

More About Quinn

Hughes (right) entering the State of the Union speech next to brother Jack in February 2026

Quinn has two younger brothers, Jack and Luke. They also play hockey and were drafted by the New Jersey Devils. Jack was drafted first overall in 2019, and Luke was drafted fourth overall in 2021.

Quinn has dual American and Canadian citizenship.

In March 2023, Quinn spoke about the Canucks' upcoming Pride Night. He said that everyone was welcome in the organization. He also said that while he couldn't tell people what to believe, he supported inclusion. After the 2026 Winter Olympics, Quinn and his team visited the White House. He also appeared on TV shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with his brother Jack and some members of the women's team.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2015	United States	U17	5th		5	1	9	10	6
2017	United States	U18			7	1	4	5	4
2018	United States	WJC			7	0	3	3	6
2018	United States	WC			10	0	2	2	2
2019	United States	WJC			7	0	2	2	0
2019	United States	WC	7th		8	1	9	10	0
2026	United States	OG			6	1	7	8	0
Junior totals					26	2	18	20	16
Senior totals					24	1	16	17	2

Awards and Honors

Amazing Records

NHL

Vancouver Canucks

• Most assists per game (0.81)
• Best single-season expected plus/minus (40)
• Best single-season plus/minus (38 in the 2023–24 season)
• Most total goals on-ice for in a single-season (162 in the 2023–24 season)
• Best expected plus/minus in a single-season (15.2 in the 2024–25 season)
• Most defensive point shares in a single-season (6.5 in the 2024–25 season)

Olympics

• Most assists by an American in a single Olympic tournament with NHL players (7 in 2026)
• Most points by a defenseman in a single Olympic tournament with NHL players (8, tied with two others)
• Second-most career assists by an American defenseman during the Olympics with NHL players (7, tied with one other)

See also

• List of select Jewish ice hockey players