Quinn Hughes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Quinn Hughes
Born	(1999-10-14) October 14, 1999 (age 25) 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	Vancouver Canucks
National team	United States
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2018 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2019–present

Quinn Hughes was born on October 14, 1999. He is an American professional ice hockey player. He plays as a defenseman and is the captain for the Vancouver Canucks. This team is part of the National Hockey League (NHL).

The Canucks picked Hughes seventh overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft. Many people thought he would be a great player even before the draft. He quickly showed how good he was at offense as a defenseman. In 2020, he was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the league's best rookie player.

Quinn Hughes holds many records for defensemen in the Canucks team and the NHL. In 2024, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This award is given to the NHL's best defenseman.

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

Hughes has played for the United States in international games. He played in the 2018 and 2019 World Junior Championships. He also played for the senior national team in the 2018 IIHF World Championship. His team won a bronze medal there.

Hockey runs in Quinn's family. His younger brother Jack was picked first overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft. His youngest brother Luke was picked fourth overall in the 2021 NHL entry draft. Both brothers play for the New Jersey Devils. His mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, played for the United States women's national ice hockey team. His father worked for the Toronto Maple Leafs helping players develop.

Playing Career

Starting Out in Hockey

Quinn Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida. He started playing hockey when his family lived in Boston. His father, Jim Hughes, worked there. Quinn first played as a forward, but at age 13, he switched to defense.

In 2006, his family moved to Toronto. His father got a job with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Quinn started skating very young. In elementary school, he even got permission to skate during lunch. He would watch his brother and father skate on a frozen baseball field. Quinn played for the Toronto Marlboros in youth hockey. In 2015, he joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP). He could have played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), but he chose to stay in the U.S. for his development. He decided early on to play college hockey at the University of Michigan.

Hughes played with another top player, Brady Tkachuk, at the USNTDP. In his first year, he scored 7 goals and had 17 assists in 57 games. The next season (2016–17), he scored 4 goals and 22 assists in 26 games. This was a great achievement for a defenseman. He was named to the All-USHL Second Team. He is fifth all-time in points for a defenseman at the USNTDP with 77 points.

College Hockey Days

From 2017 to 2019, Hughes played for the Michigan Wolverines at the University of Michigan. He studied Sport Management there. As a rookie, he was the youngest player in college hockey. He scored 5 goals and had 24 assists in 37 games. His 24 assists were the most ever by a freshman defenseman at Michigan. He was named to the All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Before the 2018 NHL entry draft, Hughes was seen as a top player. This was because of his amazing skating and puck-handling skills. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him sixth among North American skaters. The Vancouver Canucks drafted him seventh overall in the first round. He went to the Canucks' summer camp but decided to return to Michigan. He wanted to win a college championship and keep improving his game.

Hughes finished the 2018–19 season with the Wolverines. He got a foot injury in March 2019. Even with the injury, he played the next game. In his second year, he scored 5 goals and had 28 assists in 32 games. He led the Wolverines in scoring. He was named to the All-Big Ten First Team. He was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, which is for the best college hockey player. He was also named an AHCA First-Team All-American.

Becoming a Pro Player

On March 10, 2019, Hughes signed a three-year contract with the Canucks. This meant he was leaving college early to play professionally. After signing, he had an MRI on his foot injury. Doctors told him not to skate for a week. He made his NHL debut on March 28, 2019, against the Los Angeles Kings. He got his first NHL point, an assist, in that game.

Rookie Season and Awards

Hughes joined the Canucks for their training camp before the 2019–20 season. He started playing on the team's power play. He scored his first NHL goal in the home opener against the Kings. He was the youngest Canucks defenseman to score a goal since J. J. Daigneault. In November, he bruised his left knee but only missed one game. He became the fourth young Canuck to get 14 or more points in his first 20 games.

On November 21, Hughes had three power-play assists in one game. He was the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to do this more than once in a season. By November 27, he was the first Canucks rookie defenseman to have three games with three points. He was also one of the first rookies that season to reach 20 points. Fans could vote him into the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. On January 11, he became the sixth fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 30 assists. He was voted into the All-Star Game that day. The Canucks became the first team to have a rookie play in the All-Star Game for three years in a row. At the All-Star Skills Competition, Hughes competed in the Fastest Skater contest.

After the All-Star break, Hughes kept breaking records. On February 27, he got an assist that set a new team record. It was for the most power-play points by a rookie in a season. That assist was also his 43rd of the season. This made him the rookie with the most assists in Canucks history. He was named Rookie of the Month for February. The 2019–20 season was paused because of the coronavirus. Hughes ended his rookie season leading all rookies in points. He was only the third rookie defenseman to do this in the modern era, after Bobby Orr and Brian Leetch. Because of his great play, he was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Hughes returned to play when the NHL started up again. He felt "as strong as I've ever been." He played his first playoff game against the Minnesota Wild. On August 6, 2020, he had his first multi-point playoff game. He became the youngest defenseman in team history to have a three-assist playoff game. In the second round, Hughes set a new NHL record. He had 13 assists in 15 playoff games, the most by a rookie defenseman. He also broke the record for most points by a rookie defenseman in a postseason. After the Canucks were out of the playoffs, Hughes was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. He finished second in the Calder Trophy voting.

New Contract and Records

The 2020–21 season started later because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canucks played only against Canadian teams. Hughes started the season with eight assists in nine games. He was the fourth player in team history to do this. He kept getting points and matching NHL records. By February 13, he tied an NHL record for points by a defenseman in the first 18 games of a season. In March, he quickly reached 25 and then 30 points.

On March 30, Hughes was one of 22 Canucks players who got COVID-19. He returned to play on April 21, 2021. He got three points in a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hughes finished the season leading all team defensemen in points. He had 3 goals and 38 assists for 41 points. He won the Babe Pratt Trophy as the team's best defenseman.

Hughes signed a new six-year contract for $47.1 million on October 1, 2021. He missed most of training camp before signing. During the regular season, Hughes set many team records. He also had career-high numbers in assists and points. On October 21, he became the fastest defenseman in Canucks history to reach 100 points. The next month, he became the second-fastest Canuck to get 100 assists. Two nights later, he had a career-high four points in one game. He was the fifth defenseman in team history to get four assists in a single game.

The Canucks struggled to win games, and their coach was fired. Bruce Boudreau became the new coach. Under Boudreau, the Canucks won seven games in a row. Hughes had eight assists in Boudreau's first nine games. On January 21, 2022, Hughes got his 30th assist in his 39th game. He was the second-fastest Canucks defenseman to reach 30 assists in a season. On February 7, he got COVID-19 again. He missed three games. When he returned, he scored a goal and an assist.

Hughes set a new team record for most points by a defenseman in a single season. He got a goal and two assists in a win on April 27. This gave him 66 points, passing the old record. The Canucks did not make the playoffs in 2022. Hughes finished the season with 8 goals and 60 assists for 68 points. He was eighth in scoring among all NHL defensemen.

Hughes broke his own record for most points by a defenseman in a season in the 2022–23 season. He wanted to shoot more and score more goals. He missed four games with a lower-body injury. On March 4, 2023, Hughes got two assists. He became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 200 assists. He did it in 263 games, one game faster than Brian Leetch.

Canucks Captain

Before the 2023–24 season, Hughes was named the 15th captain in Canucks history. He became the youngest active captain in the NHL. He was also the first American-born captain for the Canucks. Hughes and his defense partner, Filip Hronek, helped the Canucks start the season very well. On November 6, Hughes was named the NHL's First Star of the Week. He had eight points in three games.

A few days later, Hughes and Hronek became only the third defense pair in NHL history to each have 14 or more assists in the first 13 games. On November 20, Hughes matched his career-high of eight goals. He was the first player to reach 30 points in the 2023–24 season. He was also the third defenseman in NHL history to reach 30 points in the first 17 games. The next month, Hughes was the first defenseman to reach 40 points. He was also the first Canucks defenseman to do it in less than 40 games. He was named to the 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game for the second time.

Hughes finished the regular season with 92 points, leading all defensemen in the league. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy at the end of the 2023–24 season. He was the first Canucks player ever to win this award. In his first season as captain, the Canucks finished first in their division. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Hughes had 10 assists in 13 playoff games. The Canucks won their first series but lost in the second round.

On November 5, 2024, Hughes had three assists in a win. He became the third-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 300 assists. He did it in his 376th NHL game. On December 1, Hughes passed Alexander Edler to become the Canucks' all-time leader in assists by a defenseman. The next day, he was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week. He had 76 points in 68 games during the 2024–25 season. He was also a Norris Trophy finalist for the second time.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze	2018 Denmark
World Junior Championships
Silver	2019 Canada
Bronze	2018 United States
World U18 Championships
Gold	2017 Slovakia

Quinn Hughes has played for the United States in many international hockey tournaments. He said it was an easy choice to play for his country.

In 2015, Hughes played for the United States at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He was one of seven players from his youth team to play there. He also played in the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in Slovakia.

In 2017, Hughes played at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships. His team won a gold medal in Slovakia. He was among the top five United States defensemen in scoring. Later, he joined the U20 U.S. national junior team. They played in the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Buffalo, New York. His team won a bronze medal.

A few months later, Hughes was the youngest player chosen for the senior United States team. They competed at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. He was only 18 years old. He was the only college player on the team. Hughes won another bronze medal with the United States team.

During his second year at Michigan, Hughes was chosen for the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. His brother Jack also played on the team. They were only the third pair of brothers to play for the United States at this tournament. Hughes helped lead the team to the gold medal game. They lost to Finland 3–2.

After the Vancouver Canucks season ended, Hughes was named to the United States' team for the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Player Profile

People describe Hughes as a smooth-skating and mobile player. He says he tries to play like NHL defensemen Duncan Keith and Kris Letang. When the Canucks drafted him, their general manager, Jim Benning, praised his skating. He also liked Hughes' ability to move the puck quickly. Andrew Berkshire of Sportsnet called Hughes one of the best young defensemen in the NHL.

Personal Life

Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida. His father was an assistant coach for the Orlando Solar Bears at the time. His mother is Jewish and his father is Catholic. His grandfather, Marty, was a former Marine. He was also a battalion chief for the New York City Fire Department. He came out of retirement to help firefighters after the September 11 attacks.

Quinn comes from a family of hockey players. His father, Jim Hughes, played hockey in college. He was also an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. His mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, played ice hockey, lacrosse, and soccer in college. She was inducted into the University of New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame. She also played for the United States women's national ice hockey team. She won a silver medal at the 1992 World Championship. Quinn has two younger brothers, Jack and Luke. They both play hockey for the New Jersey Devils.

His uncle Marty and cousin, Teddy Doherty, also played hockey.

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
Junior totals					26	2	18	20	16
Senior totals					18	0	9	9	2

Awards and Honors

See Also

• List of select Jewish ice hockey players