Canucks Q&A: Quinn Hughes delivers on group, competing, NHL brothers

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This a lot we do know:

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Quinn Hughes is the consummate captain — a fleet-footed, point-producing wizard, and a rising voice of purpose within the locker-room.

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And right here’s what we’re studying:

His presence within the charitable group to hold on the Vancouver Canucks’ long-standing custom of help is why the particular person is simply as nice because the participant. And that shouldn’t be shocking. He was raised to be respectful and conscious of the larger world exterior the hockey enviornment.

As Hughes ready to face his brothers, Jack and Luke of the New Jersey Devils, on Tuesday — marking simply the ninth time three or extra siblings confronted one another in an NHL recreation — the second was not misplaced on the Canucks’ blueliner. However he stored it in perspective.

“It’s massive for the household, however we haven’t actually dressed it up. We’re making an attempt to deal with it like one other recreation, and I do know these guys (brothers) are, too,” mentioned Hughes. “They’re not making an attempt to whoop it up, and it’s the identical factor for me. We want the factors.

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“Possibly it can sink in as soon as I’m on the ice and it will likely be actually cool, however I’ll simply must mood my feelings.”

It’s by no means been about “me” for Hughes. It’s all the time been about “we” and “them”.

It transcends to his consciousness of the broader image. His “TEAM 43” ticket-donation program will carry first responders to every dwelling recreation, with all proceeds going on to the B.C. Skilled Hearth Fighters’ Burn Fund.

The initiative hits dwelling for Hughes. His grandfather, Marty, has a 31-year profession because the New York Metropolis firefighter and battalion chief.

“It means quite a bit to me,” he mentioned. “I may give again and it’s heartfelt with my relations and my grandfather being a firefighter. It was an awesome concept that the staff introduced to me and I used to be all on board.”

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It means as a lot to Hughes as his 34 factors heading into Tuesday’s conflict — despite the fact that there’s competitors to out-point Luke, who had 30 factors in his first 17 video games. Luke led all rookie blueliners with 14 factors.

Right here’s our weekly Q&A with all three Hughes brothers:

Q. Quinn, you’re not stunned Jack had 99 factors final season. Why?

A. He’s all the time been the very best rising up. One of many hardest, if not the toughest employee I’ve seen. He’s received a giant character and is a fun-loving man. However while you see how significantly he takes the sport, you’re going to see extra stuff.

Q. Quinn, why did you tout Luke’s potential at the same time as an NCCA rookie?

A. He’s similar to me. He’s very fluid and has hockey sense and may skate. He’s going to have a whole lot of success with how he performs, and he has a greater shot than me. He can get it off.

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Q. Quinn, was there no-brotherly fights directive from mother Tuesday?

A. I don’t assume she must ask for a promise. We’re aggressive in all places. We’re similar to common guys and no matter it’s we now have enjoyable with it. Luke might be main our NFL Fantasy Soccer, however Jack and I aren’t far behind.

Q. Jack, Quinn is there for you at each step. What does that imply?

A. He’s mainly not an older brother. He was the No. 1 man once I was undoubtedly struggling early (within the NHL) who believed in me. He all the time thought I might be particular. I’m fortunate. At all times there for me.

Q. Jack, what allowed Quinn to take his recreation to a different degree?

A. He was actually dissatisfied how the staff did final yr. His drive is at an all-time excessive. It was all shifting in the fitting route for him with the captaincy and training change. The goal-scoring is what all people sees, however he’s been the driving pressure for that staff.

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Q. Jack, how do you defend elusive Quinn on the level?

A. You undoubtedly must slow-play it. Like all the great defencemen, you’ll be able to’t rush out at him as a result of he’ll simply make you look foolish. You need to attempt to restrict his time and house, however that’s simpler mentioned than executed. He’s going to get the puck.

Q. Luke, as a defenceman, what’s your tackle Quinn?

A. He’s simply so misleading off the blueline. He’s an unbelievable passer, and we’ve all seen this yr how he can shoot it, too. He’s powerful to defend.

Q. Luke, are you able to replicate Quinn’s new juke transfer?

A. He did it again and again in the summertime and simply including that little device to his repertoire — what does he have, two objectives with it? — and it’s a fairly good transfer. You’ve received to close him down.

Q. Luke, Jack had little doubt you’d have a quick begin. Stunned?

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A. I practice with him and it’s the little ideas and methods he exhibits me. I’ve confidence in myself and watching how he has developed over the past couple of years, I attempt to mannequin a bit little bit of my offensive recreation off him. Watch how he strikes the puck and all the time makes the fitting play.

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