Wolverines announce that Quinn Hughes will be back for sophomore season

By @MichaelCaples –

The Michigan Wolverines haven’t announced the team’s 2018-19 roster just yet, but they have confirmed one big piece of the puzzle.

Quinn Hughes will be back for another season in Ann Arbor.

The No. 7 overall pick in this summer’s NHL Draft has announced via a MGoBlue.com article that he will be back for his sophomore season.

“My heart’s obviously still at Michigan,” Hughes told MGoBlue.com. “I was heartbroken when we lost to Notre Dame in the Frozen Four last year. I’ve never really been on a team that cares so much about each other, and I think that’s a big reason why I’m coming back, because I love my teammates.

“I think we have a good team this upcoming year, and I believe in the group. So, for me, I have a lot of goals in my mind. I want to be the best player in college hockey, and I want to win the national championship. I think we can do it with the group and the coaching staff we have, and we believe in each other.

“So, it was unfinished business, of course. I want to win. When I look back at my season last year, I had a great year. But I didn’t win a national championship. So, that’s my goal next year, and anything less than that would be disappointing.”

Hughes was selected by the Vancouver Canucks at No. 7 overall. He has the blessing of his NHL organization.

“We are in full support of Quinn’s decision to continue his university career as he further develops as a hockey player and student,” said Vancouver general manager Jim Benning. “He now has an opportunity to be a leader at the University of Michigan and represent Team USA at the 2019 World Junior Championship in Vancouver. These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will only benefit Quinn’s future career.”

Hughes’ brother, Jack, recently stated in an interview with NHL Network that he is planning on returning to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for the 2018-19 season, which means that all of the Hughes brothers (there’s also the youngest brother, Luke, who plays for Little Caesars) will be spending another season in the Great Lakes State.

Hughes, who posted 29 points in 37 games as a 18-year-old freshman blueliner last season, plans on making sure his Wolverines are competing for a national title…while he also chases the Hobey Baker Award.

“My legacy at Michigan’s important to me,'” Hughes said. ‘”I want to do something special at Michigan — something that nobody’s ever done.'”

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Hughes, “and hopefully I can accomplish what I want to. The last thing I talked about with my mom was, ‘If I stay one year, that’s great. I’ve built a lot of relationships here, but by staying another year, maybe 20 years from now, I can call this place home just because I built more relationships here and was here longer.’

“That was also important to me. Someday, maybe I’ll want to rest my legs up in Michigan.”