World Junior Summer Showcase update

Quinn Hughes is less than a week removed from making the biggest hockey decision of his young career and he remains happy with his choice.

Hughes, the 18-year-old University of Michigan standout, who led all Big Ten freshman defenseman with five goals and 29 points last season,
will be returning to the Wolverines for his sophomore season
. He revealed so last weekend to a split response from Canucks fans.

Fret not @paper_seas. Speaking to media following a Team USA practice Wednesday at the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops, BC, Hughes said he took his time with the decision, consulting someone who made a similar choice to return to school.
"I talked to Charlie McAvoy because I was with him over in Denmark," said Hughes, who played alongside McAvoy at the World Championship. "I talked to him a lot about it there and he gave me his opinion and it worked for him and it worked for Zach Werenski. I'm not just going this because Charlie said to do this or that, but it worked for them, I respect their opinions because they're two of the best young players in the NHL right now."
Hughes also said he asked himself some simple questions about his future before making his decision. What's going to help him when he's 22 or 23-years-old? How is he going to get better? What's going to make him a better hockey player in the long run? What's going to allow him to have a longer career?
"If I went to Vancouver this year, it would have been great, it would have worked out fine. Obviously it's the toughest league in the world so there would have been good parts of the season and some low points for sure, but I just realized there's still things I want to do at the college hockey level. I really like the group that we've got there, so I think it's smart for me to head back and Vancouver agrees with that."
Hughes is now focused on helping Team USA build chemistry during the World Junior Summer Showcase. The Americans made 13 cuts this week, meaning they're close to the squad that will compete at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships this December in Vancouver and Victoria, BC.
One player Hughes is clicking with already is his brother Jack Hughes.

"Since he was three or four years old, he was always the best," said Quinn of Jack, who is forecast to be a top-three pick at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. "He was that kid in novice that would have like six goals and could lift the puck before anybody else. He was pretty much ahead of the curve from the get-go. It's really fun being out there with him."

TEAM CANADA UPDATE

Mike DiPietro had an outing to forget Tuesday night, giving up five goals on 18 shots before heading to the bench mid-2nd in a scheduled goaltender change.
Despite the hiccup, DiPietro is still driven to start for Team Canada at the World Juniors, reports Adam Kimelman with NHL.com. 
Canucks prospect Jett Woo, talking to TSN1040, was asked about Quinn Hughes and blurring the lines between being friends and opponents, Woo was clear how things go down.
"I can be your best buddy off the ice, 100 per cent, I've got your back, but if you're putting on the opposite jersey of me, you better watch out," smiled Woo. "I'm not going around trying to run people, but I'm going to let you know that I'm there."
Woo did not face Hughes during inter-squad games Tuesday. Hughes was involved in a skirmish to end the 2nd, which Woo watched, frustratingly, from the sidelines. He's a physical player and it was a moment he felt he could have been there for his teammates. Instead he was in the stands, watching Hughes play tough guy.
"I was a little bit surprised, but not a whole lot.," said Woo, on Hughes being involved after the whistle. "You see his skill and everything, but I think sometimes he does become a fired up player - and what player doesn't have that in his game. It was neat to see him get into a scrum like that."
Team USA faces Sweden at 1 pm Thursday, while Team Canada takes on Canucks prospect Toni Utunen and Finland at 6 pm.