VICTORIA –
Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes says he sees himself as the kind of chief who desires to construct a household environment on the staff the place everyone feels welcome.
“It is undoubtedly not a dictatorship,” he mentioned Sunday because the NHL staff accomplished its coaching camp and began pre-season exhibition video games forward of its Oct. 11 season opener in opposition to the visiting Edmonton Oilers.
“There’s going to be numerous guys talking up or have totally different roles and really feel comfy doing that, and that is the way it needs to be,” he mentioned.
Hughes, 23, was named Canucks captain earlier this month, succeeding former captain Bo Horvat who was traded to the New York Islanders final season.
The graceful-skating defenceman mentioned collaboration and openness would be the hallmarks of his management model.
“I need everybody to have a voice and I need it to be a household,” Hughes mentioned. “After I know that one of many youthful guys says one thing within the room, that is once I know we have type of turned it right into a household.”
Hughes mentioned he understands at coaching camp and early within the season some youthful gamers are nervous and would somewhat not converse up.
“I used to be that man,” he mentioned. “I need guys to really feel comfy who they’re. I do not care for those who’re a younger man, first yr man or simply first camp. I imply do not be obnoxious, however be your self and really feel comfy with your self. That is the large factor with me.”
Hughes mentioned being named captain will even be a private studying expertise as he progresses in his hockey profession.
“I am going to simply continue to learn, studying how one can take care of the position, how one can deal with my teammates and revel in it and have enjoyable with it,” he mentioned. “Not solely with the captaincy, however my very own sport. I at all times really feel like I am rising. It is a massive a part of why I preserve getting higher.”
The low season arrivals of defencemen Ian Cole from Tampa Bay, Matt Irwin from Washington and Carson Soucy from Seattle and final yr’s late season acquisition of Filip Hronek from Detroit provides veteran presence and expertise to the Canucks blueline, Hughes mentioned.
Cole and Soucy additionally deliver playoff expertise to the staff, he mentioned.
Hughes mentioned he is wanting ahead to this season after final yr, when the Canucks completed out of the playoffs in sixth place within the Pacific Division.
“Guys are excited to play,” he mentioned. “We’d like guys who’re actually aggressive, need to win and hate shedding.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Sept. 24, 2023.
