(Vancouver) Star defenseman Quinn Hughes has become the 15th captain in the history of the Vancouver Canucks, the British-Columbian organization announced Monday.
Hughes, who is 23 years old, succeeds striker Bo Horvat. The latter was traded to the New York Islanders on January 30 in exchange for Aatu Raty, Quebecer Anthony Beauvillier and their first-round pick during the last NHL draft, which became Axel Sandin-Pellika .
Hughes is the first defenseman to be named captain of the Canucks since the three-player rotation implemented during the 1990-91 season that included defenseman Doug Lidster.
The last defenseman to serve as a full-time Canucks captain was Kevin McCarthy from 1979 to 1982.
“It’s very special for me to be named captain of the Canucks,” Hughes said in a statement.
Hughes served as an assistant captain for the first time in the 2022-23 season.
The American also scored seven goals and amassed 69 assists — a personal high — in 78 games last season, his fourth complete with the Canucks.
He has 26 goals and 215 assists in 283 career NHL games, all with the Canucks.
The Orlando, Florida native was selected in the first round, seventh overall, by the Canucks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.