Quinn Hughes | #43 | D

[73 Percent]

6 minutes ago, Odd. said:

Wasn't expecting any other other response than that. 

 

Him and Jack are going to tear it up.

Where?

[flickyoursedin]

3 hours ago, Horvat is a Boss said:

 

They're brothers. I'm sure they communicated. 

I’m sure they did and at the time maybe Quinn  said he wasn’t sure which route he was gonna take. Then Jack has to committ somewhere before Quinn’s talked to our management and made up his mind.

[Tre Mac]

1 hour ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Nice hair though. 

 

(Sorry couldn’t resist )

Actually his hair is by far the weakest part of his game right now, not sure if another year in college is going to help with that.

[IBatch]

3 hours ago, ilduce39 said:

I think Pettersson, Juolevi, Gaudette, Demko and Dahlen all have a good shot at playing this season.  Youth will be served.  

 

It might not be right out of camp but all those guys have the ability to contribute and if they’re ripping in Utica I’d expect to see them at some point.  It’s a big difference between relying on them and having no other veteran options and giving them an opportunity over 82 games.

 

 

That would be great, I'm all for any of young players getting their shot and developing together in the AHL.  It's ok if they need time, I'm hoping we can add another core piece at the draft next year, either a winger or a defenseman. 

[Rob_Zepp]

The Return to Michigan

 

ShareTweetE-mailPrint

Quinn Hughes Returning to Michigan to Pursue Unfinished Business

7/28/2018 10:00:00 AM

 

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Quinn Hughes walked into Michigan ice hockey coach Mel Pearson's office inside Yost Ice Arena on Friday morning (July 27) and said he was still undecided.

 

Should he leave the Wolverines for the Vancouver Canucks, the team which on June 22 made him the seventh overall pick in the first round of the NHL Draft?

 

Should he stay at the University of Michigan, where he developed into an elite defenseman as a freshman and helped take a team to the Frozen Four?

 

Some would say he could not lose with either decision. Hughes himself said that. But, man, was this a tough call. Hughes spent 90 minutes with Pearson and still did not have an answer.

Hughes got in his car and left Ann Arbor, driving a half-hour east on M-14 to the Plymouth home of his parents, both of whom played college hockey, and two younger hockey-playing brothers. His family advisor, Pat Brisson, was there, too, and they spoke candidly for over four hours.

 

Then Quinn had a decision, and it was one that will make Wolverine fans rejoice.

 

"My heart's obviously still at Michigan," Hughes told MGoBlue.com. "I was heartbroken when we lost to Notre Dame in the Frozen Four last year. I've never really been on a team that cares so much about each other, and I think that's a big reason why I'm coming back, because I love my teammates.

 

"I think we have a good team this upcoming year, and I believe in the group. So, for me, I have a lot of goals in my mind. I want to be the best player in college hockey, and I want to win the national championship. I think we can do it with the group and the coaching staff we have, and we believe in each other.

 

"So, it was unfinished business, of course. I want to win. When I look back at my season last year, I had a great year. But I didn't win a national championship. So, that's my goal next year, and anything less than that would be disappointing."

 

Michigan has won a record nine NCAA championships, but has not finished on top since 1998, when Red Berenson won his second as head coach and Pearson was an assistant.

 

Hughes and his defensive partner, Joseph Cecconi, nicknamed "Cheeks," returns as well. Cecconi, a fifth-round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2015, will be the team's senior captain. He had five goals and 22 assists last season.

"I've been talking to 'Cheeks' a lot," said Hughes. "I was really happy when he decided that he was going to stay. He had a decision as well, and now coming back to Michigan I'll be playing with 'Cheeks' again. We have great chemistry together, and he's one of my best friends on the team and will deservedly be our captain. Our relationship off the ice is what makes us so great on the ice.

"When he decided to come back, that obviously helped my decision. There's no limits to what we can do together."

 

Hughes scored five goals with 24 assists -- the most ever by a Michigan freshman defenseman -- for 29 points. For comparison, Zach Werenski, a rising star with the Columbus Blue Jackets, had 25 points with nine goals and 16 assists as a Wolverine freshman in 2014-15. He also was a high first-round pick after his freshman year, returned for his sophomore season, and went straight to Columbus the next season.

 

Hughes said his "love of the coaching staff" also weighed in heavily.

 

Still, he could not make a choice until Friday.

 

Hughes said, "There were positives and negatives both ways and, honestly, you can go back and forth all day. That's what I've been doing for the last month. And I'd been thinking about this a lot over the last couple weeks, especially with contract talks heating up. So, I went over to see Mel (Friday) morning to go over some things and see where his head was at. And he wanted to speak to me about things, too. I have a really good relationship with him, and there's always an open line of communication with him. Then I talked to my family members and, obviously, the Vancouver Canucks.

 

"The Canucks had a big part in this decision, and I think they're happy with this decision, too. They agree with it. With everyone I spoke with, this made the most sense."

 

So, what did it come down to?

 

"What I really thought about is that it's not the path," said Hughes. "It's the player. If you're a good player, it will work for you. So, that was what I thought about at the end."

 

His family and advisor were the first to know.

 

"We talked from 5 (p.m.) until at least 9," said Quinn. "Then we came to a conclusion and I got on the phone with (Vancouver general manager) Jim Benning and we talked. He's on board and he agreed."

 

Quinn's father, Jim, was the captain at Providence College in 1989 and has been a college and pro coach, serving as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and as director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs for six seasons. His mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, played on the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team and played hockey and soccer at the University of New Hampshire.

 

Brother Jack is a 17-year-old center in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan, and brother Luke, 14, is a forward playing for the prestigious Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club out of Detroit.

Hockey is in their DNA, and big brother's decision means the family will be in close proximity to one another at least one more year.

 

There were smiles all around the room when Quinn announced his decision.

 

Then he called Pearson.

 

"Mel was really excited," said Hughes. "I told him that I was really excited. And he told me, 'No way! I'm more excited than you.'

Pearson said: "I know that I can say everyone involved with Michigan hockey will be extremely excited to know that Quinn has decided to return to the University of Michigan for another season. Quinn was one of college hockey's best players last year and I look forward to his continued development both on and off the ice. I also would like to thank the Vancouver Canucks organization for their cooperation and support."

 

Benning and Canucks head coach Travis Green began cementing a strong relationship with Hughes in their handling of his decision.

"They are thinking big picture and really want what's best for me," said Hughes. "I think they handled the situation great, and there was always communication there. They were thinking four, six, 10 years down road: 'What's best for Quinn Hughes?' They're happy with the decision, and I am, too. My family advisor, Pat Brisson, has been talking to Jim Benning for probably three, four weeks. I talked to Jim and the coach, Travis Green, as well."

 

Hughes spent half of May playing in Denmark as the lone collegiate member on the U.S. bronze medal-winning team in the World Championships, and was scheduled to fly Saturday morning (July 28) to the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops, British Columbia.

 

Then he will return to Ann Arbor, looking to enjoy another year on campus and cement a special legacy.

'"My legacy at Michigan's important to me,'" Hughes said. '"I want to do something special at Michigan -- something that nobody's ever done.'"

 

The Wolverines have never had a Hobey Baker Award winner on a national championship team. Brendan Morrison won it in 1997, between a pair of national titles, and Kevin Porter won the Hobey in 2008.

 

Hughes wants that winning double-punch to be his legacy.

 

"I'm looking forward to it," said Hughes, "and hopefully I can accomplish what I want to. The last thing I talked about with my mom was, 'If I stay one year, that's great. I've built a lot of relationships here, but by staying another year, maybe 20 years from now, I can call this place home just because I built more relationships here and was here longer.'

 

"That was also important to me. Someday, maybe I'll want to rest my legs up in Michigan."

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

2 hours ago, Tre Mac said:

Actually his hair is by far the weakest part of his game right now, not sure if another year in college is going to help with that.

Q’s hair evolution:

 

 

 

[nergish]

I’m not surprised by Quinn’s decision, and frankly I didn’t really assume whoever we drafted would play this year regardless of who it was...

 

I genuinely do think he’s good enough to play in the NHL today, but he will be even more impactful when bigger/stronger and more developed. Let this year be about Pettersson. He deserves our full attention.

 

Juolevi will get a shot. Dahlen will get a shot. Gaudette, Demko, etc.

There’s enough to keep the fanbase invested in the season, but Quinn would have changed everything. Next year, he shall.

 

[Kanukfanatic]

4 hours ago, Odd. said:

Wasn't expecting any other other response than that. 

 

Him and Jack are going to tear it up.

Thought maybe you were talking about Quinn and Jack Rathbone...but Rathbone is at Harvard. What Jack is gonna play with Quinn?

 

I assume you know his brother will not be.

[Odd.]

11 minutes ago, Kanukfanatic said:

Thought maybe you were talking about Quinn and Jack Rathbone...but Rathbone is at Harvard. What Jack is gonna play with Quinn?

 

I assume you know his brother will not be.

Yes, my mistake. I forgot Jack pulled out, cause if memory serves correctly he was originally going to go there.

[Specz]

If anyone has access to Michigan's 2018-2019 schedule can you please post it?

[cory40]

Man just listening to the media I would wait a year. Can't wait till he comes next year ,stronger and even more confident. He really started to tear it up towards the end of last year, If he keeps that pace up wow is all  can say. I wonder if Linden didn't walk away if it would have been a different decision. Canucks really need to do something about the media covering this team. If they lock them out it wouldn't be long until the higher up powers replaced a few of them.Besides have the Canucks ever had two years in a row with calder nominees? How about 3?  Boeser, Pettersson hughes?  Dare to dream...……….. 

[Canuck Drogo]

I would’ve loved to have watched Hughes with the big club this year (although he probably will play the last handful of games this season... fingers crossed).

 

Nonetheless I’m a little relieved by his decision because I want to see what Juloevi brings in camp, and I also think that Pouliot and Hutton are both too young to give up on quite yet. I might get flamed for saying this, but I think there’s a decent chance that Hutton has a bounce back year. Apparently he’s training like a beast and is hungry for redemption. 

 

Knowing that Hughes is waiting in the wings, Hutton and Pouliot will be motivated to bring their A games. This year should determine which of the two (if either) is a contender and which is a pretender lol  

 

[filthycanuck]

On 7/25/2018 at 5:14 PM, Eastcoast meets Westcoast said:

 

 

 

 

I have a question for the three of you.  

 

When Hughes turns pro, why does everyone think that only means the NHL, and a full NHL schedule to boot?  

 

While I don’t dispute that Hughes would benefit for more from development. The AHL is a development league and Hughes could have as much opportunity to grow as playing in then NCAA. 

 

I think that Hughes could easily play up and down with the club next year and spend most of the season in the AHL.  If he didn’t want to go back to college. 

 

Whether  Hughes develops in the AHL or the NCAA  to me doesn’t matter. When he is ready he will play that is enough for me and I think the desicion is in far more knowledgeable hands than mine. Hughes’s family will be involved too. I think that Hughes’ pops might know a thing or two about developemt. 

 

Hughes will get more time in the gym in comparison to being in the AHL where he needs to travel and its rigours, wouldn't you rather have him in the gym or in the rink rather than in the bus? Also in Michigan, hes gonna be their go to guy in the backend, PP1 and PK1, down by a goal or up by a goal, hes the man, and he'll get his minutes rather than in the A where he will probably have an adjustment period and work his way up

[R3aL]

12 hours ago, 73 Percent said:

Where?

Hopefully here in Vancouver when we win the lotto 

 

i pray haha

 

not sure why so many think they are playing in college together tho 

[R3aL]

7 hours ago, Odd. said:

Yes, my mistake. I forgot Jack pulled out, cause if memory serves correctly he was originally going to go there.

It was an option and speculation but he decided he was gonna stay with the national dev program 

[alfstonker]

14 hours ago, Watchincanucks said:

Sure can and already have. Toronto had Mathews Marner Nylander. New Jesey had Bratt Butcher Hischier. Boston had Heinen Debrusk McAvoy. Colorado had Girardi Jost Kerfoot. All made the playoffs with 3 rookies in the lineup. But I know you think the vets that helped the Canucks finish near the bottom of the league are better. I don’t think having Pettersson Dahlin and Gaudette or even Juolevi is going to be bad for the team. If fact I think we would be better with all four than without. That is just the last 2 years. Also Colorado also had Compher, and Toronto had Brown and Zaitsev too.

You don't know what you are talking about. Firstly there is a good core of vets in the Leafs roster (but you complain about the Canucks signing vets) secondly if you had bothered to check you would have seen that all the young players barring the No 1 and No 4 picks spent time in the AHL prior to making the NHL. Some others like Nylander spent time in the SHL and the AHL.

 

The 2016-17 roster that went deep in the playoffs were as follows. As you will see there is plenty of veteran and experienced mid 20s players. In the second group you can the number of AHL games played shown after the player's age.

 

 

Boyle - 32

Bozak - 30

Fehr - 31

Gardiner  - 26

Holland - 26

Hunwick - 31

Kadri - 26

Komarov - 30

Martin - 27

Marchenko - 25

Michalek - 31

Polak - 30

Smith - 28

JvR - 27

Zaitsev - 25

 

Brown - 23 - 110

Carrick - 22 - 192

Reilly - 22 - 14

Hyman - 24 - 72

Marner - 19

Nylander - 20 - 75

Matthews

 

So as I said only Mathews and Marner, very high picks made the team from the draft but Mathews spent a year in the Swiss pro league and Marner played 19 AHL games for the Marlies.

You really need to check some relevant background facts before posting wildly inaccurate accusations against the Canucks Management. Are you really a fan, I think Rob is right, more like a plastic fan.

[coastal.view]

5 hours ago, cory40 said:

Man just listening to the media I would wait a year. Can't wait till he comes next year ,stronger and even more confident. He really started to tear it up towards the end of last year, If he keeps that pace up wow is all  can say. I wonder if Linden didn't walk away if it would have been a different decision. Canucks really need to do something about the media covering this team. If they lock them out it wouldn't be long until the higher up powers replaced a few of them.Besides have the Canucks ever had two years in a row with calder nominees? How about 3?  Boeser, Pettersson hughes?  Dare to dream...……….. 

yeah good thing for him to avoid the media here for another year

 

there is extra money in the canuck organization

as they will not be a cap team this year

maybe it is time to invest in some contracts to cull the local media herd

 

 

[SingleThorn]

31 minutes ago, alfstonker said:

You don't know what you are talking about. Firstly there is a good core of vets in the Leafs roster (but you complain about the Canucks signing vets) secondly if you had bothered to check you would have seen that all the young players barring the No 1 and No 4 picks spent time in the AHL prior to making the NHL. Some others like Nylander spent time in the SHL and the AHL.

 

The 2016-17 roster that went deep in the playoffs were as follows. As you will see there is plenty of veteran and experienced mid 20s players. In the second group you can the number of AHL games played shown after the player's age.

 

 

Boyle - 32

Bozak - 30

Fehr - 31

Gardiner  - 26

Holland - 26

Hunwick - 31

Kadri - 26

Komarov - 30

Martin - 27

Marchenko - 25

Michalek - 31

Polak - 30

Smith - 28

JvR - 27

Zaitsev - 25

 

Brown - 23 - 110

Carrick - 22 - 192

Reilly - 22 - 14

Hyman - 24 - 72

Marner - 19

Nylander - 20 - 75

Matthews

 

So as I said only Mathews and Marner, very high picks made the team from the draft but Mathews spent a year in the Swiss pro league and Marner played 19 AHL games for the Marlies.

You really need to check some relevant background facts before posting wildly inaccurate accusations against the Canucks Management. Are you really a fan, I think Rob is right, more like a plastic fan.

Agree with your post, but just a fact check.........Marner has only played in the NHL.........and........it's Matthews/ Rielly ( sorry about the last petty point )

[stawns]

4 hours ago, filthycanuck said:

Hughes will get more time in the gym in comparison to being in the AHL where he needs to travel and its rigours, wouldn't you rather have him in the gym or in the rink rather than in the bus? Also in Michigan, hes gonna be their go to guy in the backend, PP1 and PK1, down by a goal or up by a goal, hes the man, and he'll get his minutes rather than in the A where he will probably have an adjustment period and work his way up

They don't travel much at all in the AHL and they get a lot of gym and practice time.  Utica would have been my choice for him, but a crack at an NCAA championship is understandable, though it doesn't sound like they'll have as strong a squad as last season

[The_Rocket]

1 hour ago, stawns said:

They don't travel much at all in the AHL and they get a lot of gym and practice time.  Utica would have been my choice for him, but a crack at an NCAA championship is understandable, though it doesn't sound like they'll have as strong a squad as last season

Yeah the AHL would probably be just as good for his training and development. I think people underestimate how good of a development league the AHL actually is. 

 

That said, there’s a lot of advantages to staying at Michigan too. Quinn is still 18. He has friends and family in Michigan. He knows his university campus and he’s comfortable living there. He doesn’t have to adjust to a new city and finding a place to live and how to get to the rink and creating new chemistry with teammates. He just has to focus on hockey

Edited July 29, 2018 by Canadian Clay