It’s rare to see a 19-year-old defenceman earn his coach’s trust this early into an NHL season, and it’s even more rare to see a Vancouver Canucks rookie defenceman do it. Somehow, Quinn Hughes has managed to earn that trust.
Hughes had hype surrounding him, but people, admittedly, myself included, worried that his lack of size would translate into a lack of defensive abilities. Don’t get me wrong, there have been times where opponents have dumped Hughes to the ice while protecting the puck from him — but Hughes has actually defended better than many had expected.