Canucks’ Quinn Hughes set to join USA for 4 Nations Face-Off final

Credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes will join Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off after all.

With Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy sidelined for the championship final versus Canada due to an upper-body ailment, Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed Tuesday that Hughes is en route to join the team for Thursday’s tournament closer, per Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.

To note, Hughes will join Team USA but cannot play or participate in practice unless another American rearguard suffers an injury or illness prior to Thursday’s final.

Initially named to Team USA’s roster, Hughes withdrew from the tournament prior to final rosters being set due to an oblique injury that kept him sidelined for the last four games prior to breaking for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

In all, through 47 appearances with the Canucks this season, Hughes has amassed 14 goals and 45 assists for 59 points to sit first in team scoring and second among defensemen league wide, only four points behind Canada’s Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.

Originally chosen seventh overall by Vancouver in the 2018 NHL Draft, Hughes has tallied 57 goals and 335 assists for 392 points through 412 career contests. Last season, Hughes was presented with the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Defenseman of the Year after he recorded a career-high 92 points counting 17 goals and 75 assists coming in 82 games.

Internationally, the 25-year-old Orlando, Fla., native most recently represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Championship where through eight contests he picked up three assists. Earlier that year, Hughes also starred with the United States at the World Juniors, putting up two points through seven games en route to a silver medal finish. Hughes’ other international accolades include bronze medal wins at the 2018 World Juniors and 2018 IIHF World Championship as well as a gold medal at the 2017 Under-18 World Championship.

In joining the United States, Hughes will have the opportunity to share the international spotlight with brother Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.