Quinn Hughes's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Quinn Hughes. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Quinn Hughes is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and captain of the Vancouver Canucks. Drafted seventh overall in 2018, he quickly established himself as an offensively skilled defenseman. He was a Calder Memorial Trophy nominee in 2020 for best rookie. Hughes holds multiple franchise and NHL records for defensemen. In 2024, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Tied NHL Record

After collecting his 18th point on February 13 against the Calgary Flames, in 2021 Hughes tied the NHL record for fourth-most points by an NHL defenseman in the first 18 games of a season since 1985-86.

1992: Mother wins silver medal

In 1992, Hughes' mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, won a silver medal at the World Championship playing for the United States women's national ice hockey team.

1997: Last Canucks All-Rookie Team Defenseman

In 1997, before Hughes' recent accomplishment, Mattias Öhlund was the last Canucks defenseman to be named to the All-Rookie Team.

1997: Teammates Reach 40 Points

In December 2023, Hughes joined Miller and Pettersson as the third trio of teammates to reach 40 points in their teams' first 33 games since 1997.

2012: Mother inducted into Hall of Fame

In 2012, Hughes' mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, was inducted into the University of New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame.

2016: USHL Season

During the 2016-17 season, Hughes scored four goals and 22 assists in 26 games, making him the first defenseman in USHL history to post such high points-per-game ratio two seasons before his NHL draft eligibility.

2017: Wins Gold Medal

In 2017, Hughes played at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships, helping the U.S. Under-18 World Championship team win a gold medal in Slovakia.

December 24, 2018: Named Alternate Captain

On December 24, 2018, Hughes, along with Michigan teammate Josh Norris, were named alternate captains for the United States at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

2018: USNTDP Record

As of 2018, Hughes is in fifth place for the USNTDP record for most points by a defenseman with 77.

2018: Competes at World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2018, Hughes was named to the U20 U.S. national junior team to compete at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Buffalo, New York, helping his team win bronze.

2018: World Junior Championship and IIHF Debut

In 2018, Quinn Hughes represented the United States at the World Junior Championships and made his senior national team debut at the IIHF World Championship, where he helped them win bronze.

2019: Continued Record-Breaking Season

Quinn Hughes continued his record-breaking season with the Canucks during 2019.

August 6, 2020: Multi-Point Playoff Game

On August 6, 2020, Quinn Hughes recorded his first multi-point playoff game, becoming the sixth youngest defenseman to record a three-assist playoff game and the youngest in team history.

2020: All-Star Game

In 2020 Quinn Hughes was voted into the NHL All-Star Game, becoming the sixth fastest defensemen in NHL history to reach 30 assists in 49 games or less.

2020: Calder Memorial Trophy Nomination

In 2020, Quinn Hughes was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie.

April 21, 2021: Return to the Ice

On April 21, 2021, Quinn Hughes returned to the ice after recovering from COVID-19, collecting three points in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

January 21, 2022: Reaches 30 Assists

On January 21, 2022, Hughes collected his 30th assist in his 39th game of the season, becoming the second fastest Canucks defenseman to reach 30 assists in a season.

March 4, 2023: Reaches 200 Assist Milestone

On March 4, 2023, Hughes tallied two assists in the Canucks 4–1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs to become the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach the 200-assist milestone.

2023: Named Canucks Captain

Before the start of the 2023-24 season, Hughes was named the 15th captain in Canucks history, making him both the youngest active captain in the NHL and the first American-born captain of the Canucks.

November 5, 2024: Reaches 300 Assist Milestone

On November 5, 2024, Hughes tallied three assists during a 5–1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, becoming the third-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach the 300-assist milestone.

2024: Wins Norris Trophy

In 2024, Hughes finished the regular season with 92 points, which led the league for defensemen, Hughes won the Norris Trophy, becoming the first Canucks player in franchise history to do so.