After a breakout showing in 2022-23, Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes took another step forward this season. He was recognized for his efforts on Thursday as the league announced that he’s the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position”.
Vancouver’s captain led all NHL defensemen with 75 assists and 92 points, setting franchise records in both categories; he bested his team records from the year before at 69 and 76, respectively. He had plenty of success on the power play, leading all rearguards in assists in that situation with 33 while finishing second in points at 38. That helped pace Vancouver to their first playoff appearance since 2019-20 and their first division title since 2012-13. Hughes also reached the 300-point mark for his career, becoming the eighth-fastest in league history to do so.
That helped give Hughes a significant margin of victory. He took home 172 first-place votes out of 194 and was a top-three selection on every ballot. He was also the only player to appear on every ballot. A total of 15 players received votes, each of which appeared on at least three ballots. Nashville’s Roman Josi and Colorado’s Cale Makar finished second and third, respectively.
Hughes is the first Canucks defenseman to win the award. He’s also the fourth U.S.-born player to capture the award, the others being Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch, and Adam Fox.