Former Michigan defenseman Quinn Hughes is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday, just three weeks after he concluded his two-year career with the Wolverines.

The seventh-overall pick in the 2018 draft practiced fully with the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday and is likely to be in the lineup when the team hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

"Just need to play hard and strong," the 19-year-old Hughes told reporters Wednesday. "I don't need to do anything special. I just need to get the puck up to the forwards because they are so skilled. I just need to do my job and keep the puck out of our net."

"They've been unreal with me." Quinn Hughes talks about Ben Hutton and Chris Tanev helping him get more comfortable with the #Canucks. pic.twitter.com/jgCTVk9dyb — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 27, 2019

Hughes, a Hobey Baker Award nominee as the nation’s top college player, signed a three-year entry-level deal with Vancouver on March 10 after Michigan was eliminated by Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, but he missed two weeks of practice after suffering an ankle injury during the series against the Golden Gophers.

He said he is close to 100 percent.

"I feel good, so whenever they tell me I’m playing, I’m going to play,” said Hughes, who had five goals and 28 assists in 32 games this season for the 13-16-7 Wolverines.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder was paired with 12-year veteran and former fifth-overall pick Luke Schenn at practice.

"Really comfortable," Hughes said of playing with Schenn. "I remember when he was 18 playing for Toronto. He has 700 games (in the NHL), so he definitely knows what he is talking about. When you have an experienced vet behind you like him, it is pretty easy.

"I'm going to follow his lead. I'm excited."

The Canucks are 13th in the Western Conference at 32-35-10.