Quinn Hughes Scouting Report

By: Clare McManus

    Quinn Hughes was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, 7th overall, in 2018 and has already proven to be a stelar pick for the Canucks. He recently played for the University of Michigan and pick up 5 goals and 28 assists for 33 points in 32 games played with UM. This year Hughes also played for Team USA in the U20 2019 World Juniors Tournament and record 2 points in 7 games played. He was also invited to the 2019 Men’s World Championship where he record 3 points in 8 games played. Towards the end of the Canucks season, Quinn made his NHL debut March 28th versus the Los Angeles Kings, and would go on to play four more games for them. He record 3 points in 5 games played but displayed great skills. 

    Hughes is known for being an elite defenseman with extremely high hockey IQ. He is an exceptional offensive defenseman with outstanding skating skills. He has a near perfect stride and is quick to rush the puck up the ice or pinch at the blueline. Hughes footwork allows him to create plays and to also beat players in one-on-ones. Hughes also possesses great balance while also being super shifty. This makes it easy for him to change directions on a dime and makes him stronger on the puck. 

   

    Along with incredible skating Hughes is an offensive threat who has elite vision and playmaking abilities. He’s a gifted stickhandler who controls the puck very well. He’s also great at creating time and space and does well at walking the line for passing or shooting opportunities. Hughes loves to be the quarterback on the powerplay, as he is a strong passer who can make a quick saucer or a cross-ice pass while also being calm under pressure. He also has a hard wrist shot and slap shot with a quick release. 

    Defensively, Hughes has a quick stick and can transition very fast. He’s good at one-one-ones and has decent positioning. He likes to rush the puck out of his own end most of the time. He’ll need to work on a lot in his own end and reading plays better. He will also need to work on getting stronger, although he can manage to stand his ground despite being smaller.

    If Hughes works on what's needed he will for sure be a future Top-Pairing defenseman for the Canucks. He is a complete defenseman who does many things well. Hughes has also mentioned he can play on both the left and right side for the Canucks. Quinn Hughes games resembles a lot of Shayne Gostisbehere or Ryan Ellis.