Show some quotes from scouts saying that Hughes is already a better skater than any player in the NHL (including macjesus). If you cant produce them, (frank) off and delete your account
- CanuckDon

Looking back through the years, there just haven't been that many American teenagers who have had a season this astonishing from a production standpoint this young at a level this high. For reference, Mike Modano, the second American to go No. 1 overall, had 62 points in 70 games in his first WHL season at 16, and that was in 1987. Kane, at the same age at the NTDP, had 70 points in 63 games, but 40 of those contests were in the North American Hockey League, a Tier II Junior A league in the United States. Hughes appeared in 27 games in the Tier I USHL this season and spent half the season playing up with the U.S. national U18 team in the USHL, against colleges and U18 international teams.

To find recent, closer comparables to what Hughes did this season, the U17 OHL seasons of Connor McDavid (99 points in 56 games) and Steven Stamkos (92 points in 63 games) might be good starting points.

One of the more incredible stats from his 2017-18 season is that Hughes had 54 points against USHL competition, averaging two points per game. He led all USHL rookies and ranked 12th in league scoring despite playing only 27 games of a 60-game season.

Even more jaw-dropping, among U17 players who appeared in at least 20 games in the USHL's long history, none averaged better than 1.45 points per game. This year's No. 2 pick, Andrei Svechnikov, averaged 1.21 points per game in 48 games vs. the USHL in 2016-17. Matthews averaged one point per game in 20 USHL appearances as a U17. This league is traditionally difficult to score in, and Hughes obliterated it as a 16-year-old.

The Orlando-born forward also led two major international tournaments in scoring this year. He had 15 points in six games as the U.S. won the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, a tournament that boasts many of the NHL's top players as alumni. Only Colin White, an Ottawa Senators first-rounder, had more points than Hughes in that tournament's history. Some guy named Ilya Kovalchuk ranks third behind Hughes. Then he closed out his season with 12 points in seven games at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship, becoming the first under-ager to lead that tournament in scoring since 15-year-old McDavid did it in 2013.


Hughes is expected to return to the national team development program next season despite overtures from the Ontario Hockey League and flirtation with accelerating his schooling to attend college a year early, a la Noah Hanifin and Zach Werenski. No player has gone directly from the NTDP to the NHL, but Hughes will probably have a chance at becoming the first. Each of the past four Americans selected first overall in the NHL draft -- Rick DiPietro, Erik Johnson, Kane and Matthews -- each played at the NTDP for two seasons before going on to college, junior or pro. Hughes will be part of a team many scouts consider one of the best the NTDP has ever produced, which is really saying something given that program's star-studded alumni roll. There could be as many as six or seven first-round picks off of that team in 2019.

Show some quotes from scouts saying that Hughes is already a better skater than any player in the NHL (including macjesus). If you cant produce them, (frank) off and delete your account
- CanuckDon

Look no further than Jack Hughes, brother of freshly picked Vancouver Canucks prospect Quinn Hughes.

“I don’t think we’re going to see any challengers,” Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino said on the latest Tape to Tape Podcast. “I think Jack Hughes — and he has been compared even for the past couple years now with some Connor McDavid-type qualities to his game. And I think as an underage player when you step into the world under-18s and you’re playing with Joel Farabee and Oliver Wahlstrom and you as an underage player are making both of those players better, that pretty much tells me everything I need to know.”

Hughes played for the U.S. National Team Development Program, and racked up 27 goals and 68 points in 36 games with the under-18 squad while posting the highest points-per-game average on the team. In 27 games against USHL competition, Hughes led the U.S. team in scoring outright, nine points better than Wahlstrom and 14 more than Farabee, two players picked in the first round of this year’s NHL draft. Despite playing roughly only half a season in the USHL, Hughes finished as the highest-scoring rookie.



In fact, Hughes’ 1.88 points-per-game average in under-18 competition was better than Patrick Kane’s 1.58 PPG mark in his draft minus-1 season. Even more incredible is that the 116 total points Hughes scored for the USNTDP this past season split between under-18 and under-17 teams set a new record for a 16-year-old player, crushing the old mark of 82 set by Phil Kessel and tied by Clayton Keller. Further, Hughes was one point shy of tying an all-time USNTDP scoring record set by Auston Matthews, who was 17 at the time on account of his late birthday in September.

Looking back through the years, there just haven't been that many American teenagers who have had a season this astonishing from a production standpoint this young at a level this high. For reference, Mike Modano, the second American to go No. 1 overall, had 62 points in 70 games in his first WHL season at 16, and that was in 1987. Kane, at the same age at the NTDP, had 70 points in 63 games, but 40 of those contests were in the North American Hockey League, a Tier II Junior A league in the United States. Hughes appeared in 27 games in the Tier I USHL this season and spent half the season playing up with the U.S. national U18 team in the USHL, against colleges and U18 international teams.

To find recent, closer comparables to what Hughes did this season, the U17 OHL seasons of Connor McDavid (99 points in 56 games) and Steven Stamkos (92 points in 63 games) might be good starting points.

One of the more incredible stats from his 2017-18 season is that Hughes had 54 points against USHL competition, averaging two points per game. He led all USHL rookies and ranked 12th in league scoring despite playing only 27 games of a 60-game season.

Even more jaw-dropping, among U17 players who appeared in at least 20 games in the USHL's long history, none averaged better than 1.45 points per game. This year's No. 2 pick, Andrei Svechnikov, averaged 1.21 points per game in 48 games vs. the USHL in 2016-17. Matthews averaged one point per game in 20 USHL appearances as a U17. This league is traditionally difficult to score in, and Hughes obliterated it as a 16-year-old.

The Orlando-born forward also led two major international tournaments in scoring this year. He had 15 points in six games as the U.S. won the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, a tournament that boasts many of the NHL's top players as alumni. Only Colin White, an Ottawa Senators first-rounder, had more points than Hughes in that tournament's history. Some guy named Ilya Kovalchuk ranks third behind Hughes. Then he closed out his season with 12 points in seven games at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship, becoming the first under-ager to lead that tournament in scoring since 15-year-old McDavid did it in 2013.


Hughes is expected to return to the national team development program next season despite overtures from the Ontario Hockey League and flirtation with accelerating his schooling to attend college a year early, a la Noah Hanifin and Zach Werenski. No player has gone directly from the NTDP to the NHL, but Hughes will probably have a chance at becoming the first. Each of the past four Americans selected first overall in the NHL draft -- Rick DiPietro, Erik Johnson, Kane and Matthews -- each played at the NTDP for two seasons before going on to college, junior or pro. Hughes will be part of a team many scouts consider one of the best the NTDP has ever produced, which is really saying something given that program's star-studded alumni roll. There could be as many as six or seven first-round picks off of that team in 2019.
- Pres.cup

What is this? He should be in the NCAA this season. Also, this is information based on his D-1 season. He hasnt made a big enough stride in his draft season considering he chose not to step up the comp

Look no further than Jack Hughes, brother of freshly picked Vancouver Canucks prospect Quinn Hughes.

“I don’t think we’re going to see any challengers,” Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino said on the latest Tape to Tape Podcast. “I think Jack Hughes — and he has been compared even for the past couple years now with some Connor McDavid-type qualities to his game. And I think as an underage player when you step into the world under-18s and you’re playing with Joel Farabee and Oliver Wahlstrom and you as an underage player are making both of those players better, that pretty much tells me everything I need to know.”

Hughes played for the U.S. National Team Development Program, and racked up 27 goals and 68 points in 36 games with the under-18 squad while posting the highest points-per-game average on the team. In 27 games against USHL competition, Hughes led the U.S. team in scoring outright, nine points better than Wahlstrom and 14 more than Farabee, two players picked in the first round of this year’s NHL draft. Despite playing roughly only half a season in the USHL, Hughes finished as the highest-scoring rookie.



In fact, Hughes’ 1.88 points-per-game average in under-18 competition was better than Patrick Kane’s 1.58 PPG mark in his draft minus-1 season. Even more incredible is that the 116 total points Hughes scored for the USNTDP this past season split between under-18 and under-17 teams set a new record for a 16-year-old player, crushing the old mark of 82 set by Phil Kessel and tied by Clayton Keller. Further, Hughes was one point shy of tying an all-time USNTDP scoring record set by Auston Matthews, who was 17 at the time on account of his late birthday in September.
- Pres.cup

Still waiting for you to address my post. Copy and pasting a bunch random numbers is only serving to clutter carols blog.

Show some quotes from scouts saying that Hughes is already a better skater than any player in the NHL (including macjesus). If you cant produce them, (frank) off and delete your account
- CanuckDon

McDavid launches into a scouting report of Jack Hughes “Such a good skater. He’s very agile. He just looks smooth with the puck. He’s obviously going to be a very good player.”

Still waiting for you to address my post. Copy and pasting a bunch random numbers is only serving to clutter carols blog.
- CanuckDon

he is talkin the Hughes we don't have i think

McDavid launches into a scouting report of Jack Hughes “Such a good skater. He’s very agile. He just looks smooth with the puck. He’s obviously going to be a very good player.”
- Pres.cup

Oh I see. Macjesus said Hughes is a better skater than him. I see now

he is talkin the Hughes we don't have i think
- onesmallleap

No sh!t

Show some quotes from scouts saying that Hughes is already a better skater than any player in the NHL (including macjesus). If you cant produce them, (frank) off and delete your account
- CanuckDon

One thing Americans do well these days is make great hockey players.

The USNDP (United States National Development Program) is easily one of the best, if not THE best program for kids trying to make it to the show. They have an excellent system which allows young prospects to work their way up the ranks to play against much older competitors which furthers their development. Many of the NHL's top players have come out of this program including Patrick Kane, Seth Jones, Zach Werenksi, John Gibson, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Clayton Keller and Jacob Trouba just to name a few.

Jack Hughes' older brother Quinn Hughes was most recently the 7th overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks at this years draft. Both Quinn and Jack are unbelievable skaters, easily at the top of their class and both could compete in the NHL based on skating alone. Both Hughes brothers can make plays at top speed and have elite stickhandling and playmaking abilities.

These Hughes kids can definitely play in the "new-age" NHL. The main difference between the brothers is that Jack is a centre, a centre who's poised to be the undisputed number one pick in Vancouver at the 2019 NHL Draft.

Jack is not a big kid by any means, in fact he is quite short. Standing at only 5 foot 10 inches and 160 pounds he doesn't fit the typical build of a centre, however nobody cares how big you are when you put up 116 points in 60 games as a 16 year old, only one point shy of the record set by Auston Matthews who was one year older.

Austin Matthews is by far the best comparison to Jack in terms of ceiling and potential. However there are some subtle differences between them as well. Jack is a bit smaller, but he's also a better skater who dangles more. Some scouts go as far to compare Jack to Connor McDavid, however I think that's a bit of a stretch. Other scouts compare him to Patrick Kane in his draft year, but again I think this fails to capture who Jack really is.

What makes Jack so good is his ability to read the play. He makes plays at incredible speed all while making it look effortless. Furthermore he makes the players around him better; he had two excellent wingers in Farabee and Wahlstrom and he improved both of their draft stock immensely this season.

Jack could easily be the first player ever to make the jump from the US U-18 squad straight to the NHL, that is how good he is. However, the more likely route is he goes to the NCAA as a 17 year old. Mississauga still owns his rights if he decided to go the OHL route, but that is the least likely option.

What is obvious is Jack has nothing left to prove at the USHL level and whoever gets the first pick next year will be getting a generational talent whether he chooses the NCAA or tries to jump straight to the NHL. This kid is truly special, and while tanking doesn't guarantee you the first overall pick, I'll still take those odds at finishing last at 18.5%.

So what happens if you land pick #2 or #3? Well you're still in luck there's a few good centres poised to go in the top 5 in 2019. There's the speedy and skilled Alexander Newhook from Victoria in the BCHL, or the huge 6 foot 4 Kirby Dach who was #2 overall selection by Saskatoon Blades in the WHL Bantam Draft.

With plenty of bottom feeder teams needing a top centre, this is a good year to be bad... are you listening Senators, Canucks, Red Wings, Sabres and Islanders?

I once saw an interview with Mark Scheifele where he was in his apartment with a few friends just watching and talking hockey. Mark's passion for the game is obvious, he loves the sport so much he can never get enough and I believe it's this quality that helped launch him from a great hockey player to a generational one.

The Hughes brothers are no different, Jack and his brothers Quinn and Luke-- yes there's a 3rd even younger brother-- all have a passion for the game that is undervalued in today's NHL, a passion that cannot be taught.

Jack has the potential to be better then fellow American centre's Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews. Two players who are both considered generational talents for their respective teams.

While no prospect is a ever sure thing, this kid looks to be as good as it gets.

I'd be surprised if Rathbone signs. Dude has one of the easiest paths to college FA
- Lindenis#1

Would suck if we lost him for nothing, I hope they sign Lockwood this spring/summer too. Both long shots as Don said but still have decent upside.

stats also show that JV is McDavid fast , just not when playing hockey

stats also show that JV is McDavid fast , just not when playing hockey
- onesmallleap

With cactus waitresses yes

Show some quotes from scouts saying that Hughes is already a better skater than any player in the NHL (including macjesus). If you cant produce them, (frank) off and delete your account
- CanuckDon

https://youtu.be/Aah7zqeG2eY
McDavid talking about how dominate a skater Hughes is.

With cactus waitresses yes
- CanuckDon

cutting your grass Don

With cactus waitresses yes
- CanuckDon

you mean camgirls like that one he tried to hit up when they were in Dallas

Still waiting for you to address my post. Copy and pasting a bunch random numbers is only serving to clutter carols blog.
- CanuckDon

You stated there will be no stars from this draft. Hughes has been dominant for the past 3 years and is expected to be a generational talent. McDavid agrees.

You wanted one quote, I gave you many.

Would suck if we lost him for nothing, I hope they sign Lockwood this spring/summer too. Both long shots as Don said but still have decent upside.
- Nucker101

Didnt Rathbone fly himself across the country to attend Canucks prospects camp this year? Thats usually an indicator they're interested/grateful to be a part of the organization.

you mean camgirls like that one he tried to hit up when they were in Dallas
- Codes1087

Lol didn’t hear about that. He is sleeping w a few girls I know now. Both 21 year old blond waitresses/ instagram porn stars. Living his best life but I wish he would score more so I have excuses to shot gun

stats also show that JV is McDavid fast , just not when playing hockey
- onesmallleap

His dangles are lacking.....

Jeebus Pressy the 200' posts are rolling hey?

Jeebus Pressy the 200' posts are rolling hey?
- LordHumungous

Back from your Oilers thread?

Jeebus Pressy the 200' posts are rolling hey?
- LordHumungous

What can I say, Lordy, I'm a 200' poster,

lol I remember exactly where I was when that went down. Drinking in that Irish Pub between Langley and Surrey. Just drank more...
- LordHumungous

Dublin Crossing on Fraser Hwy? Great pub! Excellent food!

We've drafted enough Dmen go BPA.

In 5 years Benning has made 34 picks 17 fwd, 14 Dmen & 3 Goalies
- A_SteamingLombardi

Bennings first few years drafting D

Lol didn’t hear about that. He is sleeping w a few girls I know now. Both 21 year old blond waitresses/ instagram porn stars. Living his best life but I wish he would score more so I have excuses to shot gun
- CanuckDon

Links or names please. If you cant produce them,