Quinn Hughes is making headlines across the nation after his recent trade to the Minnesota Wild from the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old defenseman, hailing from Florida, has quickly captured the attention of fans not only in Minnesota but also across social media platforms with viral moments like the “Quinn Hughes Stare.”
Born on October 14, 1999, to Jim and Ellen Hughes, Quinn is the oldest of three siblings, with both of his brothers, Jack and Luke, being players in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils. He began his hockey journey at a young age, initially playing as a forward before transitioning to defense during his teenage years. His hockey career took off when he played for the Bantam AAA and Toronto Marlboros, influenced by his father’s job with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In 2015, Hughes joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. That year, he also had the chance to play for a Canadian junior hockey team but opted for training in the United States. He made a significant impact in the United States Hockey League (USHL), scoring seven goals and adding 17 assists in 57 games, and became the first defenseman to achieve an impressive points-per-game ratio during the 2016-2017 season.
From 2017 to 2019, Hughes played for the University of Michigan Wolverines while pursuing a major in Sport Management. He was not only the youngest male player in the NCAA ice hockey program but also a standout performer, which solidified his status as a top prospect for the NHL Entry Draft in 2018. He was subsequently selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks.
Hughes continued to excel with the Canucks, where he played for seven seasons and even served as team captain from 2023 to 2025, breaking several franchise records along the way. His recent move to the Minnesota Wild, backed by a cap salary of $7.85 million, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career. With his rising popularity and social media presence, fans are eager to see what the future holds for Quinn Hughes in the NHL.