NHL.com’s Q&A feature called “Five Questions With …” runs every Tuesday. We talk to key figures in the game and ask them questions to gain insight into their lives, careers and the latest news.
The latest edition features United States defenseman Quinn Hughes, who will play in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Wednesday:
Quinn Hughes knows his performance for the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship not only will be watched closely in his country, but also in Canada because he is the top defenseman prospect for the Vancouver Canucks.
The United States preliminary-round play in Group B against Slovakia in Victoria, British Columbia on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN). Should the U.S. advance to the playoff round, Hughes will play in Vancouver and give fans there a glimpse into the near future.
“I’m excited the tournament will be in Vancouver and really excited to get back there, but right now it’s not about Vancouver, it’s about USA Hockey and trying to win this tournament,” Hughes said.
Hughes, chosen No. 7 by the Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft, is a sophomore at the University of Michigan. When he joined the U.S. for training camp in Everett, Washington, on Dec. 15, he was leading the Wolverines with 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) and a 1.18 points-per game average in 17 games.
He said right now he’s directing his energy toward the tournament and the rest of his season with the Wolverines, not his future with the Canucks.
“I’m not focused on signing next year,” Hughes said. “I’m focused on USA Hockey and the tournament and hopefully doing something special at Michigan.”
He added he’s enjoyed the success the Canucks have had this season.
“Yes it’s exciting and so fun to watch the Canucks with the (Elias) Pettersson and Brock Boeser and all the young guys they have on the team,” Hughes said. “They’re doing really well this year so it’s exciting for Canucks fans for sure.”
Video: Quinn Hughes lands at No. 9 on the list
He’s earned the respect of his peers for his incredible skating ability, drive to create offense and his leadership on defense. Jack Hughes, his 17-year-old brother who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver on June 21, has first-hand knowledge of this.
“He’s not going to be the loudest guy in the room but he’s the kind of guy that when something needs to be said, he’ll say the right thing,” Jack Hughes said. “He leads in his own way by the things he does, the way he works, and how he shows up every day. I think he’s a huge part to the (U.S. National Junior Team) both on and off the ice and he’ll be a leader for sure.”
Here are Five Questions with … Quinn Hughes:
Despite winning a bronze medal with the United States at 2018 WJC in Buffalo, you expressed how disappointed you were with your performance with three assists in seven games. Do you expect more from yourself this year?
“I wasn’t happy with my tournament last year so definitely I want to be better this year and want my tournament to go differently, which I think it will. I’m not too worried about that, though. I think we have a great group here and a lot of good players and pieces. What I learned from last year is that you have to take it one day at a time and you can’t win the gold medal in one day. We just have to keep getting better every day. There are a lot of good countries, so we’re going to need good goaltending and some bounces to go our way. I think, for us, we just have to stay humble and keep our heads down and keep working.”
Are you looking forward to going up against your peers and other players affiliated with NHL clubs to show you are among the elite of the 2018 NHL Draft class?
“There are a lot of good players in this tournament and I want to be one of the better players, so for me, as a competitor, I look at that and will want to outplay some of these guys. I think for me, I’ll focus on what I can do to help the team and if I do that, it should be good enough. I haven’t really thought about who is on which NHL teams or anything like that, but I know this is going to be a real competitive tournament. Everyone, even those players not drafted, will be playing at a high level.”
Video: Canucks draft D Quintin Hughes No. 7
There have been so many memorable moments that have taken place at the World Junior Championship. What is your favorite?
“My generation grew up watching the John Carlson goal in overtime to give the U.S. (a 6-5 win) against Canada in the gold medal game of the 2010 WJC, which was sick, but the next generation will probably refer to Troy Terry’s heroics in the shootouts at the 2017 WJC in Montreal. I think, for me, the one moment I’ll never forget happened just before the start of the 2013 WJC when defenseman Seth Jones came out and said that the U.S. was the best team. I was in Canada watching TSN at the time he said it, and the Canadian media went nuts. They were like, ‘Oh this American kid said they were going to win. How does Canada react?’ They were asking the Canadian kids all tournament long, but Jones and the U.S. team backed up that prediction and won the gold medal. They even defeated Canada along the way, in the semifinal round (5-1). Talk about a bold prediction and then getting it done; that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Will 15-year-old Luke Hughes, the youngest of the three Hughes brothers, be the best of the bunch?
“Hmm … I don’t know. We’ll have to give Luke some time to develop, but he’s having a great year for Little Caesars (in Detroit). He’s bigger than me and Jack. We call it the ‘Pop’ gene because my Grandfather Pops (on his father’s side) is like 6-foot-1 but everyone in our family is like 5-foot-10 or 5-foot-11. We’re always wondering who will get the ‘Pop’ gene and it looks like Luke is going to be the winner; he’s got it for sure. He’s been playing great, too.”
How has University of Michigan coach Mel Pearson helped improve your game?
“Coach has been great. I think he likes my defensive game, but overall wants to see me become a good leader, so I’m working at that. He’s also stressing timing and shift length. When I say timing, I’m referring to knowing how much time is left in a period and when I can do stuff and when I shouldn’t do stuff out there. I don’t feel like I need to take risks; I just kind of try to make plays, that’s all it is. I don’t look at it as risks and I don’t think I take many risks, but I feel the way I play is more about having confidence in my ability.”
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