Hughes Selected Seventh Overall by Vancouver Canucks in NHL Draft
6/22/2018 8:55:00 PM | Ice Hockey
• Hughes Living the Dream as NHL Draft Approaches
DALLAS -- University of Michigan hockey rising sophomore Quinn Hughes was selected in the first round (seventh overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night (June 22). Hughes becomes the 22nd first-round selection in program history and the 10th to be selected in the top 10.
"I'm very proud and I've heard a lot of great things about Vancouver and they're a great hockey market," said Hughes. "I'm really excited and it's a dream come true. Honestly, I don't know what to say right now. I'm just excited."
A native of Orlando, Florida, Hughes played in 37 games for the Wolverines in his first season. Hughes tallied five goals and 24 assists for 29 points from the blue line. He set a program record for most assists by a freshman defenseman and sits third all-time in total points by a freshman defenseman. Hughes ranked fourth overall among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting midterm list of top prospects for the 2018 NHL Draft. He was a Big Ten Rookie of the Year finalist, was named to the All-CHN Rookie Team, Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team, second team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Hughes also participated in the 2018 IIHF World Championships as part of team USA, which earned the bronze medal in the tournament.
Hughes becomes the third Wolverine selected seventh overall, joining Mike Komisarek and Ryan Sittler, who were selected in the same spot in 2001 and 1992, respectively. Hughes joins Will Lockwood, Mike Brown, Bill Muckalt and Robb Gordon as Wolverines drafted by the Canucks, with the most recent being Lockwood, who was selected 64th overall in 2016.
Michigan has now had 68 players taken in the NHL Draft in program history. U-M has had a selection in the draft every year since 1995, and in all but five years (1970-72, '81 and '95) since its inception in 1969.
