Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet spoke to Canucks media Wednesday and said captain Quinn Hughes will not be travelling with the club to play the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
This will be Hughes’s third straight game out of the lineup. The Canucks captain was recently named to Team USA for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Tocchet was asked about Hughes’s status heading into the 4 Nations tournament next week stating, “It will depend on the next 48 hours, we’ll sit down with Quinn and talk to him.”
Tocchet stated, “Like every player, you’re concerned about safety and health. I know Quinn is a USA guy. Loves his country. Playing with his brother, there’s a lot of positives to it, but he’s a smart kid too. He understands what’s at stake.” Hughes would not be the first player to opt out of the tournament.
Quinn Hughes is not travelling to San Jose with #Canucks. So he will miss third straight game tomorrow. Did not skate at all today after skating on his own before group yesterday
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) February 5, 2025
Hughes’ past participation in international competition includes bronze and silver medal wins at the World Juniors and a gold-medal finish at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
Through 47 appearances with Vancouver this season, the reigning Norris Trophy winner leads the Canucks with 59 points counting 14 goals and 45 assists.
Vancouver originally selected Hughes seventh overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, Hughes has recorded 57 goals and 335 assists for 392 points, underscored by last season’s 92-point finish. Hughes has also tallied two goals and 24 assists for 26 points through 30 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canucks are 24-18-11 with 59 points and sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division. Vancouver is slated to face the Sharks on Thursday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday before the 4 Nations break.