Canucks – The support system allows Quinn Hughes to handle immense pressure to perform

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The mental strain of the professional game can paralyze careers.

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There is always pressure to act, not to faint under the intense glare of the spotlight, to be good in the room and in the community and do everything with obedient demeanor.

From the periphery, the occupation is often described as a dream quest by well-compensated athletes playing child’s game. It’s not until performance standards are met, or when something out of the game comes at a tremendous cost, that we view your difficulties from a different perspective.

When unflappable goalie Carey Price shocked the Montreal Canadiens last week by announcing that he was voluntarily entering the National Hockey League and NHL Players Association assistance program, it was impressive. His cool and calm online presence and his difference-making dominance always gave the impression that everything was fine.

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Price, 34, underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus and was preparing for the regular season, but will now be absent indefinitely.

“It’s probably something that’s been building and building and you know, being the goalkeeper in Montreal, this market is not easy,” said Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher. “It comes with a lot of advantages, but in doing what we do, nobody really understands what you’re going through except your teammates and the coaching staff.”

Pressure doesn’t know age either.

Young star players may not have the added responsibility of a marriage and children, but they are not immune to the excessively high expectations and difficulties that the game can present.

The dynamic Vancouver Canucks duo of Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson have met high standards of performance (Calder Trophy runner-up and Calder Trophy winner respectively) and have been rewarded with extensive multi-year contract extensions. Hughes will turn 22 on Thursday and Pettersson 23 on November 12.

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Performance responses are often seasoned with the terms “fun” and “great,” and that’s what is expected of today’s young elite athletes. They can mature quickly with fascinating skills, but still children have interests beyond play that range from video games to social media.

Regardless of those comfort zones, support systems are vital. And there is enough that Hughes and Pettersson are not crushed under the weight of expectations. They understand the stakes and how too much engagement on social media can ruin their day.

“You have to stay calm and have peace of mind,” Hughes said.“If things are not going well at home and you have no one to talk to, it is difficult because everyone needs someone. It is not an easy league and you are going to have difficult nights.

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Petey is lucky. He has a good support system at home and I have the same. For us, they are a couple of things. I’m just growing and maturing and trying to get away from social media a bit more. The great part is having a good base of people you can talk to.

Hughes has that in his father, Jim, and in a rich family sports lineage. It includes NHL brothers Jack and Luke and their mother, Ellen, a three-sport star and Hall of Famer at the University of New Hampshire. Jim’s resume reads like that of a sports psychologist because he has been connected to all facets of the game.

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He was a defender and team captain at Providence College and also served as an assistant coach.

He was also an assistant at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC), New Jersey (roller hockey), Orlando (IHL), Boston, (NHL), Toronto (AHL) and was the head coach of Minsk (KHL). He was also Director of Player Development for Maple Leafs.

“It’s unreal,” Quinn said. “We are lucky to have it. I practically talk to him before and after every game. It tells you the truth, but it is very positive and it pushes you up the mountain. It keeps things in perspective and when things get too hot, it can cool it down a bit and give you a second opinion. “

The confidence Hughes exudes should not be confused with arrogance. Exposure to high-level programs with the US National Team Development program and the University of Michigan, which prepared him to be the youngest to play for the US in the men’s world championship when he did. At 18 in 2018, it gave him a head start. to make an NHL splash.

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However, last season was sobering on every level imaginable, even though he still scored 41 (3-38) in 56 games. Hughes was hit hard by the club’s coronavirus outbreak in March and finished with a minus-24 rating, which said a lot about the team’s porous defense as the Canucks allowed the sixth-most goals in the NHL.

“I was not happy with last year and I am very hard on myself,” he emphasized. “I don’t want to have to say that we gave up a (goal) and got one back. I want to be strong defensively. You have to hit the reset button. “

Hughes believes that everything Pettersson endured last season – a slow start and a hyperextended wrist that kept him out of the game for the past 30 games – has given him greater determination.

“I think he’s going to have a great year,” Hughes predicted. “Listen to all the noise on social media and see what everyone is saying. I tell him not to look, but he sees those things. He prepares it a bit and makes him mad because he’s going to show it to those guys. “

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