Quinn Hughes becomes Canucks all-time points leader for defensemen

Vancouver Canucks’ captain Quinn Hughes made history Saturday night, becoming the all-time franchise leader for points by a defenseman.

Hughes reached the milestone after assisting on Brock Boeser’s third period goal against the Edmonton Oilers, recording his 410th career point and passing Alex Elder on the all-time list.

It would be Vancouver’s only goal, with the Canucks losing 3-1 to the Oilers. The club is now 1-1-0 after two games.

Hughes, 25, is now 14th on the all-time points leaders in franchise history for any position. Both Boeser (12th) and Elias Pettersson (ninth) are ahead of him with 436 and 458 points, respectively.

Through two games this season, Hughes has a goal and an assist. Last season, the Vancouver captain scored 16 goals and recorded 60 assists for 76 points in 68 regular-season games.

Now in his eighth NHL season, Hughes has 59 goals and 351 assists for 410 points in 435 career regular-season games. His best statistical season came in 2023-24, scoring 17 goals and 75 assists for 92 points, winning the Norris Trophy for the first time in his career.

Hughes, taken No. 7 overall by the Canucks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, spent two seasons in the NCAA with the University of Michigan. He went on to score 10 goals and 52 assists for 62 points in 69 games, and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award in his sophomore campaign.

The Canucks finished 38-30-14 with 90 points, fifth in the Pacific Division and six points back of the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They have missed the playoffs in eight of their last 10 seasons.