Canucks rookie defenceman is putting up points and making point with complete game

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Quinn Hughes won’t lean on the crutch of convenience.

As a heavily scrutinized rookie defenceman he could succumb to the strain of adjusting to the toughest position in the toughest league. He could allow all the noise about his size and supposed defensive shortcomings to get to him. And, of course, he didn’t.

It’s why the Vancouver Canucks’ standout is going to the NHL All-Star Game.

He should be heading to St. Louis for the Jan. 24-25 event based on merit, and not because of an NHL online voting initiative to drum up support for the annual skills show and corporate schmooze. Last Man In? Really? He’s going to make that 3-on-3 competition as the Pacific Division puck-mover must-see TV.

Hughes knew Saturday in Buffalo that he would be joining all-star teammates Elias Pettersson and Jacob Markstrom in St. Louis. His excitement was obvious, but he had to temper it.

“We had a game to play, so I didn’t want to divulge that,” Hughes said Sunday before facing the Minnesota Wild. “It’s going to be fun to be there with Petey and Marky — two of my closest friends — and I’m looking forward to the interactions, just meeting new guys and picking guys’ brains. Or even not being too serious and having fun, and the 3-on-3 should be good. That’s what I’m most looking forward to the most.”

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After his first 44 games this season, the 20-year-old Hughes was first in rookie power-play points with 16 (3-13), first in average ice time (21:24) and third in total points with 31 (4-27). He’s also the first to turn heads with an effortless stride, sublime edge work, quick passing and smart thinking to quarterback the league’s fifth-ranked power play.

However, Hughes takes more pride in a quick transition to his play without the puck. He was expected to trigger the transition and produce points. But a shutdown role for a rookie?

Photo by Nicholas T. LoVerde / Getty Images

“I thought I’d be creating and getting points, but what I’m most proud of is that the coaching staff has trusted me in playing a shutdown role,” stressed Hughes. “I’ve played with Taney (Chris Tanev) against top lines the last month and that’s something I didn’t expect. And it means a lot to me.

“A lot of people said I couldn’t defend — and I’m still working on it — but just to have that (shutdown role), I thought I’d have it at some point in my career, but not now.”

Hughes has high standards for diligence, durability and deployment. If anything, he could challenge his critics because 33 points (5-28) in 32 games last season to help the University of Michigan advance to the NCAA playoffs was no small feat.

So, is there some extra incentive at this level to prove people wrong?

“There is, for sure, he added. “I thought I had a pretty good year of college and I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now. It surprised me at the start of the year when I started doing well that people thought: ‘Wow, we didn’t think this would happen.’ That surprised me.

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“But I’m also humble and I’ve got a long ways to go. I have to keep my foot down.”

It’s one thing to showcase superlative skill. It’s another to get enough pre-season rope to do your thing with encouragement and guidance from the coaching staff. Travis Green wanted to instruct but not impede when it came to developing Brock Boeser, Pettersson and Hughes.

“We’ve handled all three differently,” said Green. “With real special players, you have to pick and choose the spots in the rink where you’re going to teach them. And you have to also understand that they’re going to make some mistakes and Quinn will be the first to admit he has made some.

“We’re fine with it because he’s a smart enough player and he’s going to learn. And he has to make plays. We need him and we never want to stifle that. Good, young defencemen in the league figure that out a bit on their own where and when not to make the play.”

What also stands out with Hughes is durability. Elusiveness has allowed him to avoid a contact injury, and dedication has allowed him to log monster minutes. On Dec. 14 in San Jose he played 27 minutes. The next day it was 23:23 in Las Vegas and two nights later a season-high 28:04 against Montreal at Rogers Arena.

Part of that is skill and part is support.

“The coaching staff has been tremendous with me,” said Hughes. “I’ve seen guys come in who are really skilled and they have a leash on them. I’m trying to take the coach’s advice and we’ve got a good relationship. There’s a reason Boes (Boeser) came in and did really well, and Petey and I’m doing my thing.

“He (Green) has let them come in and just do it.”