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Quinn Hughes Makes Unexpected Decision That Leaves Fans Stunned
It appears that Quinn Hughes will not be joining Team USA at the World Hockey Championships, which has left fans in a complete state of shock.
The Vancouver Canucks are eliminated from playoff competition mathematically with the Minnesota Wild overtime win against the San Jose Sharks.
After starting the year with Stanley Cup aspirations, the disappointing Canucks are now 36-29-13, not even decent enough for a second-consecutive playoff appearance.
It is a deflating ending to a year for a club that won last year's Pacific Division title and pushed the eventual Cup finalist Oilers to seven games in an epic first-round series.
The Canucks dealt with more injuries than almost any other team
The season was also marred by injuries. Injuries piled up, particularly to veterans such as starting goaltender Thatcher Demko, captain Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Dakota Joshua.
The Canucks were never really at full strength, and some of the top stars had off years, and that was part of the issue with the team.
Distractions from outside were of no help, and it was a tough spot to establish consistency in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Since the season is now complete, Hughes and Demko both opted out of competing with Team USA at this year's IIHF World Championship.
Hughes, who fought injuries all season, already said that he wants to rehab and rest, and Demko wants to rehab after fighting an injury-filled season.
The Canucks become the first Canadian team to be mathematically eliminated this season, a gloomy fate for a team that envisioned much greater things at the beginning of the year.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 433 ANSWERS Quinn Hughes Makes Unexpected Decision That Leaves Fans Stunned Are you shocked that Quinn Hughes is not joining Team USA? | ||
| Yes | 88 | 20.3 % |
| No | 345 | 79.7 % |
| List of polls | ||