Vancouver Canucks face the New Jersey Devils tonight on home ice. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet recently shared his admiration for the Hughes family, particularly highlighting the work ethic and dedication of Quinn Hughes.

Quinn is Vancouver’s captain and star defender. However, he has two younger brothers, Jack and Luc Hughesin his family. Both play with the New Jersey Devils. Tocchet highlighted the brothers’ relentless commitment to improving every aspect of their game, attributing much of their growth to the Hughes family mindset of “pushing the limits.”

Tocchet’s views on the Hughes family

The Hughes family’s dedication to growing and learning

Tocchet praised the Hughes family for their “students of the game” mentality. He explained that each brother is constantly looking for ways to elevate their game. Tocchet noted that Quinn, who is the Canucks’ best defenseman, has worked tirelessly to perfect all aspects of his skills. The family’s commitment to working hard and constantly improving, he said, was instrumental in helping all three brothers excel at the NHL level.

“What I respect about their family,” Tocchet remarked in the interview, “is that they’re always looking to push the boundaries.”

Development of Quinn Hughes’ plan: an example of hard work

One area where Hughes has seen notable growth is in his shooting. It’s a skill that Tocchet remembers focusing on intensely over the past couple of years. Tocchet observed that Hughes spent countless hours during the offseason developing a powerful one-timer, a valuable asset for a defenseman. His dedication paid off. Quinn now has a versatile and efficient shot that he can deploy from almost any angle on the ice.

“A few years ago, his shot wasn’t there,” Tocchet said. “But he works on it insanely, and now he has one of those shots he can take from any angle.”

Embracing the Physical Side of the Game: Quinn Hughes’ Playoff Mentality

Another area where Tocchet has seen growth in Quinn Hughes is his approach to playoff hockey. During the playoffs, Hughes survived his injuries. He showed resilience, which Tocchet said stems from his determination to win. Hughes, who remains focused on the upcoming season, strongly desires another “kick” in the playoffs. This determination, says Tocchet, is characteristic of Hughes’ hunger to contribute at the highest level. This highlights his ambition to succeed with the Canucks.