Michigan’s Quinn Hughes (left) battles Ohio State’s Mason Jobst during a Jan. 2018 game in Columbus (photo: Rachel Lewis).Michigan defenseman Quinn Hughes announced Saturday that he will return to the Wolverines for the 2018-19 season.Hughes was a first-round draft pick (seventh overall) of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft after a stellar freshman season in Ann Arbor.“My heart’s obviously still at Michigan,” said Hughes in a statement. “I was heartbroken when we lost to Notre Dame in the Frozen Four last year. I have 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.””I know that I can say everyone involved with Michigan hockey is extremely excited to know that Quinn has decided to return to the University of Michigan for another season,” added Michigan coach Mel Pearson. “Quinn was one of college hockey’s best players last year and I look forward to his continued development both on and off the ice. I also would like to thank the Vancouver Canucks organization for their cooperation and support.”Hughes played in 37 games for the Wolverines in a standout freshman season, where he tallied five goals and 24 assists for 29 points from the blueline.He set a program record for most assists by a freshman defenseman and sits third all-time in total points by a freshman defenseman. Hughes was also a Big Ten Rookie of the Year finalist and was named to the Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team, Second Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
