As we continue to inch our way closer to the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas our next Sport Chek Top of the Class profile takes a look Michigan defenceman Quinn Hughes.

VITALS

Team: Michigan

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Left

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 170 lbs

Born: October 14th, 1999

PROFILE

What Hughes may lack in size, he more than makes up for in smarts and skating. That's a big reason why the 2018 draft eligible defenceman hasn't looked out of place pitted against older competition at the 2018 IIHF World Championship in Denmark.

"His hockey sense, his hockey IQ, I think is the thing that strikes you right off the bat," Michigan coach Mel Pearson said. "I've been around a lot of hockey payers, guys who have played at the highest level, but his sense of the game and his poise and patience for such a young player...his first two games, he's out against 24-, 25-year-guys, and he's 17 and he can handle it."

Hughes is yet another top defenceman in this draft that excels in the offensive zone and he attributes his poise with the puck to the fact that he was a forward until the age of 13.

"As a forward you have the puck a lot when you're younger," Hughes told NHL.com. "When you transition to defence the puck skills are still there. I think that definitely helped."

It's Hughes' transition game that has had scouts salivating and many have described him as the best skater available. He possess the type of mobility that NHL teams are looking for in defencemen to help combate the influx of speedy forwards as the game becomes quicker. It's these attributes that could see Hughes' stock continue to rise as Draft Day gets closer.

More from NHL.com:

Hughes recorded 5-24-29 in 37 gp at the University of Michigan in 2017-18 where he was named to the Big Ten all-rookie team and second all-star team.

He was a member of Team USA's gold medal-winning entry at the 2017 under-18 world championship (1-4-5 in 7 gp) and earned a bronze medal at the 2018 world junior championship (0-3-3 in 7 gp).

His mother, Ellen Hughes, played soccer and ice hockey at the University of New Hampshire, and is a former member of the U.S. women's national hockey team.

His father, Jim Hughes, was a member of the U.S. selects team that won the 1988 Spengler Cup and served as director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2009-15. He is currently director of player development for CAA sports' hockey division.

His brother, Jack Hughes, is a member of the USA hockey national team development program and is projected to be among the top prospects for the 2019 NHL Draft.

SCOUTING REPORT

"Quinn is a smooth-skating, mobile defenceman who carries the puck very well and can transition from defense to offense with his feet or by making a pass. He reads the play very well and uses good positioning and the use of his angles to defend. Projects to be a top-four defenceman in today's game because his skating and puck skills." - NHL Central Scouting's David Gregory

RANKINGS

NHL Central Scouting: #6 North American

ISS: #7

TSN: #9

Future Considerations: #6

McKeen's Hockey: #4

HIGHLIGHTS

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STATISTICS