Hughes named Canucks captain, replaces Horvat

“I’m never going to be the loudest guy in the room,” Hughes said. “I’m going to be a guy that hopefully can be a leader through his work ethic and in the games, and as time goes on I’ll learn more and more about myself and being a leader and I feel real confident walking into this because of the coaching staff and the management I have with me and the people behind me.

“This is just the beginning for me but I’m hoping obviously to be a great leader. I think I will be.”

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said the decision to make Hughes the captain came after discussions with coach Rick Tocchet, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and chairman Francesco Aquilini.

“It’s a significant milestone here for the team signifying the change of leadership and the identity of the team,” Allvin said. “This is just not a reflection on Quinn’s exceptional talent on the ice. It’s also reflection on him off the ice and his leadership qualities.”

Hughes, the older brother of New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes and defenseman Luke Hughes, will enter the third season of a six-year contract he signed Oct. 3, 2021.

“I had great mentors in (Brandon) Tanev, Luke Schenn and (Jacob) Markstrom, and currently I am still learning from [J.T. Miller] and [Tyler Myers],” Hughes said. “Even guys who are around my age, Brock (Boeser), Elias (Petterson) and (Thatcher) Demko. I am always learning from those guys and taking things from what they do to try and incorporate that into how I lead, and hopefully I do the same for them.

“We just have to keep pushing each other. Everyone has something to prove this year, we just have to remember that fact through training camp to stay hungry and we need to be ready to go.”

The Canucks were 38-37-7 last season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season and seventh time in the past eight. They were 20-12-4 after Tocchet replaced Bruce Boudreau as coach Jan. 22.

“What I was impressed with Hughes was last year when I came in, just his love for the game, how his teammates, he mixes with everybody,” Tocchet said. “I think that as a captain, you mix in with everybody. He said some uncomfortable things that he had to say if something didn’t go well, or if he had to even put himself out there. That’s why I really liked this leadership. They’re not afraid to say something to me. That was important to me making that decision.”