Article content

Jason King had good wheels when aligned with Henrik and Daniel Sedin on what was called the Mattress Line — twins and a king — but he needed another gear Tuesday.

In a Vancouver Canucks development camp drill, the Utica Comets assistant coach was positioned at the top of the crease to take exit time and space away from Quinn Hughes. It didn’t go well. One slick pivot and two quick strides and the highly hyped seventh pick in the 2018 draft was gone in a flash from behind the net.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ben Kuzma: Bug-ridden Quinn Hughes struts stuff at Canucks development camp Back to video

Hughes looked like a cross between a speedskater and figure skater because of lightning quickness and elite edge work. His stride was as strong as his long lead passes and, at least for one day, seeing was believing that the 18-year-old could sign a contract and play in the NHL this fall.

Especially after missing Monday’s session with a 24-hour bug and dropping weight.

“I wasn’t too good a couple of days ago,” said Hughes. “It was either a common cold or food poisoning. I was sitting in the bathroom and today I was just making sure I could stand up for the next drill.”

Hughes didn’t just stand up, he stood out.

Photo by RICHARD LAM / PNG

There’s something about not feeling your best and still grasping new systems and transitioning the puck with ease. Part of that is natural ability and a willingness to learn. Part of it is a hockey family that includes his father Jim. He was a defenceman and team captain at Providence College, had several stints as an assistant coach and was director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.