Good news for Canucks fans: Quinn Hughes returns to practice

Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes waits for a faceoff against the Tampa Bay Lightning during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A young girl – whose favorite hockey player is Quinn Hughes – sent a heartfelt message to the Canucks’ captain during the team’s last home game, echoing fans’ hopes that the star defenseman would return to the lineup soon.

Hannah, who got a chance alongside other kids to skate at Rogers Arena during the first-period intermission told in-game host Kat Stefaniewicz that she’s a fan because she also likes to play defence. With a grin, showcasing her missing front teeth, Hannah turned the tables on the interviewer – asking a question of her own.

“Can you get a message to him for me?” Hannah asked. “Can you tell him that I said get better soon?”

The Canucks would go on to lose that game, as they struggle through a season plagued by injuries and absences among key players. Vancouver has not won back-to-back games since Dec. 1 and finished Friday a single point above the playoff bar in the Western Conference with an 18-12-8 record.

But on Sunday, Hughes was on the ice practicing with the team in Montreal.

He was circumspect about when exactly he’ll play next but said he’s happy to be back and hates missing playing time.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “I’m in a spot where I’m on the up and up.”

Hughes hasn’t played since Dec. 23.

Coach Rick Tocchet said Hughes is day-to-day, meaning a return to face Montreal Monday is possible, but by no means guaranteed.

Nevertheless, he says the captain’s impact goes beyond what he brings to the games.

“He’s a calming influence on a lot of people. He’s a hockey nerd, he likes to talk hockey – that helps a dressing room,” he said. “People don’t realize off the ice, what he does for our team is tremendous.”

Vancouver faces off against the Montreal Canadiens Monday at 4:30 p.m. PST.

With a file from The Canadian Press