On Wednesday morning, Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was named as one of the three finalists for the prestigious James Norris Memorial Trophy, recognizing the top defenceman in the NHL. In his inaugural season wearing the ‘C’ for the Canucks, Hughes shattered franchise records, tallying an impressive 75 assists and 92 points in 82 games.
The 24-year-old Orlando native’s remarkable achievements were beyond franchise milestones. Hughes also ranked among the league’s top defencemen in various categories, including power-play assists, power-play points, plus/minus, goals, total time on ice, shots on goal, and power-play goals. His exceptional performance has not only solidified his place as a Norris Trophy finalist but has also propelled the Canucks’ offense, guiding the team to a postseason berth and division title.
Hughes finds himself in esteemed company, with his younger brother Luke also receiving recognition as a Calder Trophy nominee for the NHL’s top rookie this season.
Moreover, Hughes’ nomination marks a historic moment for the Vancouver Canucks, as he becomes the first player in the team’s 53-year history to vie for the Norris Trophy. Additionally, Hughes aims to join the ranks of notable U.S.-born winners, including Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch, and most recently, Adam Fox.
Among the other finalists are Nashville’s Roman Josi and Colorado’s Cale Makar, both perennial contenders in their own right. Josi’s prolific performance saw him lead defencemen in goals, power-play goals, and shots on goal, elevating the Predators to their 10th playoff berth during his tenure. Makar, on the other hand, boasted an impressive points-per-game average and played a pivotal role in securing the Colorado Avalanche’s seventh consecutive playoff appearance, also setting franchise records along the way.
The winner will be named at the 2024 NHL Awards in late June, and while this recognition would mean a lot to these players, all three are still fighting for the greatest trophy of them all. Hughes and Josi will lead their teams to Game 6, while Makar will have some time off as the Avalanche eliminated the Jets in five games.
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