Quinn Hughes is the defenseman who turned a perceived weakness — his 5’10” frame — into a Norris Trophy–winning career. In December 2025 the Vancouver Canucks captain was traded to the Minnesota Wild in a blockbuster deal that reshaped two franchises. This article breaks down the verified facts about his height, contract, trade details, and what comes next, drawing directly from league reports and contract databases.
Last checked: 2026-06-21
Full Name: Quinn Hughes ·
Norris Trophy: 2024 ·
Contract: 6 years, $47.1M (cap hit $7.85M)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-21.
Sources reviewed: NHL.com trade report, ESPN trade report, PuckPedia player profile, Field Level Media extension analysis.
No interview with the player, no on-ice analysis, and no primary source verification of personal relationships were conducted. Contract signing dates show a minor discrepancy between NHL.com and PuckPedia.
Key facts at a glance
Norris Trophy winner
- Hughes won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman for the 2023-24 season (NHL.com).
Contract terms
- Six-year, $47.1 million contract with a $7.85 million annual cap hit (NHL.com).
Franchise record
- 432 points in 459 games with Vancouver — the most by a defenseman in Canucks history (NHL.com).
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Quinn Hughes | |
| Height / weight | 5’10” / 180 lbs (verified 181 lb) | PuckPedia |
| Norris Trophy | 2023-24 | NHL.com |
| Contract | 6 years, $47.1M (cap hit $7.85M) | NHL.com |
| Draft | 7th overall, 2018 | NHL.com |
| Career-high points | 92 (17G, 75A) in 2023-24 | NHL.com |
| Trade destination (2025) | Minnesota Wild | NHL.com, ESPN |
Are Quinn and Jack Hughes twins?
No, they are not twins. Quinn Hughes was born on October 14, 1999, while Jack Hughes was born on May 4, 2001 — a gap of about 19 months (ages confirmed via NHL team bios). Quinn is the eldest of three Hughes brothers currently in the NHL: Jack (New Jersey Devils) and Luke (New Jersey Devils). All three were first-round draft picks.
How many Hughes brothers play in the NHL?
Three. Quinn (Canucks, then Wild), Jack (Devils), and Luke (Devils).
What are the ages of Quinn, Jack, and Luke Hughes?
Quinn (born 1999), Jack (2001), Luke (2003).
The implication: The Hughes family represents a generational pipeline, but only Quinn has captured the Norris Trophy.
Why did Quinn Hughes want to leave the Canucks?
According to an NHL.com report, Hughes requested a trade from the Vancouver Canucks, citing contract disputes and a desire for a different team direction. The trade was finalized in December 2025, with the Canucks sending their captain to the Minnesota Wild.
When was Quinn Hughes traded?
On a Friday in December 2025 (exact date not specified in league filings).
What team does Quinn Hughes play for now?
Minnesota Wild.
“He is in the fifth season of a six-year, $47.1 million contract.”
NHL.com staff
The bottom line: Hughes forced a move mid-contract, and the Wild paid a heavy price to get him.
Is Quinn Hughes actually 5’10”?
Yes. PuckPedia lists him at 5’10” and 181 lb (PuckPedia). The average NHL defenseman is about 6’2″, so Hughes is notably undersized by league standards. Yet he won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 by recording 92 points — the most by any defenseman that season.
Why is Quinn Hughes described as small?
Because the average NHL defenseman is 6’2″ and 210 lb. At 5’10”, Hughes falls below the 10th percentile for height among blueliners. 이 기사에서 퀸 휴즈의 키, 계약, 트레이드 및 노리스 수상에 대한 자세한 내용을 63인치를 피트로 변환하기에서 확인하세요. 63인치를 피트로 변환하기
How does his height compare to other NHL defensemen?
He is shorter than nearly every other Norris finalist in the past decade. Compare to Cale Makar (5’11”), Adam Fox (5’11”), and Victor Hedman (6’6″).
What needs verifying
The listed height of 5’10” and weight of 181 lb come from PuckPedia, a third-party contract aggregator, not from an official NHL measurement. No league-issued biometric data is publicly available for cross-check. PuckPedia shows a contract signing date of October 1, 2021, which differs from the NHL.com date of October 3, 2021 — this date discrepancy has not been reconciled.
The catch: Hughes’s size forced him to rely on elite skating and hockey IQ — and it worked well enough to earn the league’s top defensive award.
Comparable defensemen
For context, here are two other small-ish defensemen who have competed for the Norris Trophy:
- Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche) — 5’11”, 187 lb. Norris winner 2022. Known for explosive offence and speed.
- Adam Fox (New York Rangers) — 5’11”, 185 lb. Norris winner 2021. Relies on positioning and puck distribution.
Both are listed one inch taller than Hughes, yet Hughes out-produced both in his Norris season (92 points vs. Makar’s 86 in 2021-22 and Fox’s 74 in 2020-21).
Why Quinn Hughes stands apart
Among undersized defensemen, Hughes is the most productive scorer of his generation. His 2023-24 campaign (92 points, 17 goals, 75 assists) set a Canucks defenseman record. He also finished as a Norris finalist the following season with 76 points (NHL.com).
The trade to Minnesota gives him a new stage, and the Wild can open extension talks on July 1, 2026 (Field Level Media). For fantasy hockey players, his production floor is elite; for bettors, his Norris repeat odds should be watched.
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For more details, check out the Quinn Hughes trade rumors that confirmed the blockbuster deal.
Frequently asked questions
What is Quinn Hughes’s contract?
Six-year, $47.1 million extension signed in October 2021, with a $7.85 million annual cap hit. He was in the fifth season when traded.
How did Jack Hughes lose his teeth?
Jack Hughes lost teeth during an NHL game in the 2022-23 season after taking a high stick. No further details from league sources.
Are Jack and Quinn Hughes Irish?
The Hughes family has Irish heritage, but both brothers were born in the United States (Quinn in Orlando, Jack in Boston).
Who is Luke Hughes?
Luke Hughes is the youngest Hughes brother, drafted 4th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2021. He currently plays as a defenseman for the Devils.
What is Quinn Hughes’s nickname?
Quinn Hughes has no officially documented nickname in NHL media or league publications.
Sources cited
- NHL.com — Trade report, contract details, Norris win
- ESPN — Trade package, Olympic team status
- PuckPedia — Height, weight, contract date cross-check
- Field Level Media — Extension talk timeline