Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes says he sees himself as the type of leader who wants to build a family atmosphere on the team where everybody feels welcome.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely not a dictatorship,B次元官网网址� he said Sunday as the NHL team completed its training camp and started pre-season exhibition games ahead of its Oct. 11 season opener against the visiting Edmonton Oilers.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 going to be lots of guys speaking up or have different roles and feel comfortable doing that, and thatB次元官网网址檚 how it should be,B次元官网网址� he said.
Hughes, 23, was named Canucks captain earlier this month, succeeding former captain Bo Horvat who was traded to the New York Islanders last season.
The smooth-skating defenceman said collaboration and openness will be the hallmarks of his leadership style.
B次元官网网址淚 want everyone to have a voice and I want it to be a family,B次元官网网址� Hughes said. B次元官网网址淲hen I know that one of the younger guys says something in the room, thatB次元官网网址檚 when I know weB次元官网网址檝e kind of turned it into a family.B次元官网网址�
Hughes said he understands at training camp and early in the season some younger players are nervous and would rather not speak up.
B次元官网网址淚 was that guy,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 want guys to feel comfortable who they are. I donB次元官网网址檛 care if youB次元官网网址檙e a young guy, first year guy or just first camp. I mean donB次元官网网址檛 be obnoxious, but be yourself and feel comfortable with yourself. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the big thing with me.B次元官网网址�
Hughes said being named captain will also be a personal learning experience as he progresses in his hockey career.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l just keep learning, learning how to deal with the role, how to handle my teammates and enjoy it and have fun with it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淣ot only with the captaincy, but my own game. I always feel like IB次元官网网址檓 growing. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big part of why I keep getting better.B次元官网网址�
The off-season arrivals of defencemen Ian Cole from Tampa Bay, Matt Irwin from Washington and Carson Soucy from Seattle and last yearB次元官网网址檚 late season acquisition of Filip Hronek from Detroit adds veteran presence and experience to the Canucks blueline, Hughes said.
Cole and Soucy also bring playoff experience to the team, he said.
Hughes said heB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to this season after last year, when the Canucks finished out of the playoffs in sixth place in the Pacific Division.
B次元官网网址淕uys are excited to play,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e need guys who are really competitive, want to win and hate losing.B次元官网网址�
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