Vancouver Canucks name Quinn Hughes as captain

Defenceman Quinn Hughes, 23, has been named the 15th captain in the Vancouver Canucks history.

Hughes was an assistant captain last season after being drafted seventh overall in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

“Not only was everybody enthusiastic and supportive of the decision, but they were also extremely happy for Quinn. He is very well-liked and respected inside our dressing room, and we know he will continue to grow and develop his leadership skills in the years to come,” says Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin.

INTRODUCING CAPTAIN QUINN!

Quinn Hughes has been named the 15th Captain in Canucks History!

FEATURE READ | https://t.co/5qTT7UWzZU pic.twitter.com/S9UoSxMe1K

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 11, 2023

Hughes takes over the captaincy after Bo Horvat was traded to the New York Islanders in January.

The smooth-skating defenceman has enjoyed steady improvements on and off the ice since his rookie campaign, finishing the 2022-23 season with a career-high 76 points.

“He’s been around NHL rinks his whole life, he knows what being a captain entails.”

@MikeHalford604 & @SadClubCommish react to the news of Quinn Hughes being named 15th captain in #Canucks history, featuring a special musical number at the end.

— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) September 11, 2023

Hughes is the first defenceman to hold the “C” for Vancouver since a three-player rotation during the 1990-91 season that included blue-liner Doug Lidster.

The last full-time defenceman to captain the team was Kevin McCarthy from 1979 to 1982.

“It means a great deal to me to be named captain of the Canucks,” Hughes said in a statement.

“When I came here 5 years ago, I knew what I was walking into having grown up in Toronto; just a crazy hockey market and a passionate fan base. It has been a pleasure and treat to play for this franchise and to be the captain is something that is incredibly special and something that I couldn’t ever imagine would happen.”

The Canucks describe Hughes as having the mindset and skillset that set him apart from other blueliners. While he makes the game look easy, the Canucks say Hughes is ultra-competitive, and believes it is vitally important to have a solid group of players and people around you.

“The locker room is good and I believe everyone coming in early and being here the past two weeks has been great. We have a lot of guys who are hungry.

“We are really competitive, want to have a good season and be respected as a team. I want to be a part of this group and want us to win games. For everyone to show up early shows just how committed everyone is and that we are on the right page together.”

Not the loudest, but has emotional intelligence and skill: commentator

“When he came into the league, you could tell there was a learning curve, as there is for any kid. But… you could see Quinn Hughes demands a lot of himself, he has a very high standard, but he is an individual that has grown over the last couple of years from on the ice and off the ice,” said Sportsnet 650 Canucks Colour Commentator Randip Janda.

He adds Hughes is not only a skilled player but has emotional intelligence as well.

Hughes isn’t the most vocal player, but Janda thinks when push comes to shove, he’ll have no problem leading the team on the ice and in the locker room.

“Sometimes there’s a balance. When the moment arises, are you willing to step up and say those things? Here in Vancouver, we’ve seen captains like that in the past. Henrik Sedin — not necessarily a rah-rah captain — but a guy who is respected throughout the league. Without a doubt, Quinn Hughes’ voice is respected, not only in this room in Vancouver but across the league.”

Leadership group on hand for Quinn Hughes captaincy press conference. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/NoTicoGWyy

— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) September 11, 2023

The other player whose name was thrown around as a potential captain was Elias Pettersson, who has yet to sign a new contract with the team.

“I don’t necessarily think this takes Pettersson out of the equation to sign a new contract, I think this is a moment for the franchise where they identified the right leader, but you can guarantee one of the assistant captains will be Elias Pettersson, that’s a guy, who looking forward, is vital to the leadership group of this team.”

Janda says Pettersson and Hughes are very close friends and he doesn’t doubt Petey will sign a long-term extension in Vancouver. “You can be one of the leaders, you don’t have to be the guy. Any championship-winning team in the NHL, or in sports for that matter, has multiple leaders.”

Hughes’ announcement is a signal, Janda feels, that the team is serious about starting the season off on the right foot, after failing to impress the fanbase the last couple of years.

“Whether you think Elias Pettersson is the best player, or Quinn Hughes, they’ve named one of their best players the captain and this is something that I think is going to set the culture of this organization and you have to have that in game one of the season.”

— With files from The Canadian Press