Quinn Hughes, Braeden Cootes & Head Coach Adam Foote Media Availabilities (Oct. 07, 2025)

Quinn Hughes, Braeden Cootes & Head Coach Adam Foote Media Availabilities (Oct. 07, 2025)

What do you think Braden’s going to be going through on Thursday night? And does it make the rest of the group excited? Yeah, I mean, first game’s really special. Um, I don’t know. I just remember being um it’s all new. Everything’s new. Um, Luke Shan was my deep partner. He was great. I had Greener. He was great. And, uh, yeah, I’m excited for him. Um, rookie lap will be pretty cool. Something you always remember. And uh yeah, I mean he should just enjoy it because he’s going to play a long time, but you only have one first game. You’ve seen him so far in training camp in the preseason. What have you seen that makes you believe he’s ready for the opportunity? I mean, everything that you guys have seen. Um he’s reliable. He’s got good reads defensively. He plays a mature game. Um offensively, he’s got skill, good instincts all around the ice, and he’s just going to continue to get better and better. So, he’s pretty impressive player and uh you know it’s hard at 18 um even first overall pick struggle. So, but I think u footy and the coaching staff have done a good job with them and um you know kept it positive. So, I’m excited for him, happy for him and he’s definitely earned to be here. This roster is the seventh youngest in the does it feel like I don’t know. I’m I think that we got a you know great group of guys in here. Um it it hasn’t it doesn’t feel too young to me. I mean we have some guys that you know had to grind in Abbottzford for a year or two, three years and um they’re obviously ready to move up with them winning the caller cup. So I think we just had some hungry guys. I don’t look at it as young but um guys that have wanted to crack the team for a couple years and you know earned that right this year. You describe some of the young guys as hungry. Is that how you describe the the mentality of the group overall after a strong preseason and getting ready to start? Yeah, I mean I think that everyone’s hungry. I wouldn’t say that, you know, young guys are hunger than the veterans or vice versa. I think that everyone has something to prove this year. Um, you know, after last year, everybody went through stuff last year. Derek Forbert went through maybe more than most, you know, with his personal life as well. What does, if you get him healthy and get him in the lineup every day, what does he bring? I mean, first off, he’s just an incredible, you know, guy and, uh, really fun person to be around. You know, we’re lucky to have him in the room as a, you know, veteran guy now. Um, just seen a lot. He’s worked hard. Um, yeah, we’re just lucky to have him. Obviously, when he’s healthy, that’s big for us as a penalty kill role. And, um, you know, you know, the defense he brings, you know, defensively on the back end. So, um, when he’s healthy, it, you know, we’re a little bit different back there, but, um, you know, also in the room, he brings a lot. So, we’re we’re happy to have him back and hopefully he can, uh, he can, you know, start feeling good. With the new bodies that have come on, like, you mentioned the guys in Absford who who’ve worked their way up here, obviously bringing a little bit of youth, bringing a little bit more energy, but how different is this hockey team? I mean, it’s not, you know, the whole average team came up. it’s just two or three guys, so they don’t doesn’t really impact the team too much. But I think that everyone just came um with a fresh mentality and positive and happy to be here. And um got, you know, some I’d say we’re just a different we’re in a different place than we were last year. Probably more at peace and um I think guys are just, you know, you know, it’s enjoyable to come in the rink right now. Well, the last time we spoke to you, it wasn’t official yet. It is now. What does it mean to you to be on the opening night roster? Yeah, it means a lot. That’s obviously a huge honor. Um, so obviously got to prove myself. You know, I still got to be playing well and taking it day by day, but you know, step one is, you know, here and I’m playing. So that’s uh it’s a huge accomplishment and uh really proud of it. Who are some of the people you think about that have helped you along the way? Parents for sure. Um obviously wouldn’t be here without them driving me to practice in the morning. Young kid. Um paying for everything obviously. um grandparents too always helping out and you know friends as well being supportive. So yeah that uh takes a lot of people to get to this point. Do you expect to have people coming in for the game on Thursday? Yeah, I’ll have my family here. Um not too many not as many as in Edmonton, but uh I’m sure there’ll be a good if I play in Edmonton, there’ll be a lot of people there. But um yeah, family and I think my one brother will be here. So that’ll be pretty cool. We just chatted with Quinn and he talked about the excitement of your rookie lap taking that on Thursday. You going to allow yourself to enjoy it when you step out on the ice by yourself? Yeah, it’s a pretty cool tradition now that it’s kind of going on in the NHL. So, um take it all in. You only get to do it once. So, um first game, you know, it’s uh pretty special. Have you caught yourself by surprise how far you’ve come? Obviously, you know, this was a dream, but not it’s not accomplished too often by 18 year olds, 19 year olds in this league. Yeah, I mean I wouldn’t say like a surprise, but you know, obviously you don’t take it for granted at all, but you know, I knew I could, you know, possibly do it just by playing hockey. So, just being myself, focusing on what I do best, and um just keep trying to earn another day. Obviously, Bluger being out opens up a bit of a door at center. Has the organization talked to you about, you know, whether this is a nineame thing or or longer, or is it just kind of see how it goes? Yeah, I think see how it goes, honestly. just day by day. Just keep, you know, don’t get ahead of myself. Just stay in the present, keep working. Um, really no set plan at all. So, uh, just kind of see how it goes and, um, keep playing good. Physically, how how do you think you’ve handled it all and do you think you’re ready for the jump that regular season hockey will bring? Yeah, I think I think it’s been good. It hasn’t been, you know, I played against, you know, the a few good lineups obviously with the Oilers and stuff and I mean, regular season’s obviously different and we’re going to see see that, but I’m ready for it. I’m excited. So, um, yeah, you grew up in Sherwood Park. Does it help that you growing up against the Flames to start? Yeah, it’s a little extra motivation. I’m not not too big of a fan of them. But, um, no. Um, it’s cool getting to play against Canadian teams like the Oilers in preseason and then the Oilers if I play the next day or the next game. So, it’s pretty cool being on this side of the side of the, you know, country. So, uh, it’s awesome. Patrick Alvine said he was amazed when he saw you at the development camp in July versus when he saw you in May at the under 18s. He thought you looked stronger and faster. I presume you feel stronger and faster now. I’m just wondering what you think your improvement rate is like right now. Like in a month, are you going to be better than? Yeah, I would hope so. Um, you know, I work pretty hard. Try to I mean trying to just get better each day. Honestly, I’m still young, so I got the privilege to, you know, it’s easier to get better, you know. I’m not like 30, you know, so um I got a lot of a lot of, you know, years to get better and keep working. So, uh yeah. Can you feel the difference? Would you feel know feel different now than you did at that development camp? Um yeah, I would say so. Um just spending more time in the gym, you know, getting getting a little bit older, too. Just keep working. Um, yeah. How about processing the game? Has it started to slow down a little bit for you the more preseason games that you played as well as you can? Yeah, I say you get more comfortable each game. Um, just everything feels a bit bit more normal um, so to speak. And when you’re playing with such good players here, it’s honestly sometimes feels not easier, but sometimes you get pucks, you know, in better spots and quicker um, because they’re so good and they can make such good plays. So, yeah. When did you when did you get the news that you had made the team and then did you call your parents Fred? Could you share what that conversation was like? Um, yeah. I mean, they had a it well I uh Patrick called me yesterday um you know, kind of in the afternoon and just told me the news and um my I think my parents saw a few things on the internet though before, but um obviously called them and told them they’re they’re super excited and um couldn’t wait to get down here to watch it on Thursday. Everyone says you’ve got a mature game. What does that mean to you? Um somebody that’s reliable that you know you can put out in the Dzone that doesn’t have those, you know, doesn’t cheat the game, so to speak. Um that, you know, I can play defense, I can play a 200 foot game and uh be reliable out there. This team doesn’t have right-handed centers. Um you might be out there for the occasional draw against some of the bigger players. just the ability to win faceoffs at this level from that side. Just how ready are you for it? I I think so. Yeah. Um go in there and just, you know, obviously do my best and, you know, I’m competitive. So, that’s a the end of the day, it’s like a one-on-one battle and I want to win. So, um do anything I can to win those big draws. Have you ever felt overwhelmed at all at in at any point this year? I wouldn’t say I mean I remember like first day in camp, you’re obviously nervous. you’re going like with a big NHLers. That would be my only time. Um first preseason game a little bit. Just natural nerves a little bit I guess but nothing crazy. Just trying to you know tell myself I’ve been playing this game for how long? It’s just hockey at the end of the day. So just trying to do uh do my best out there. Been talking a lot about maturity and on the ice and all that but this here. How are you? You seem very mature and you’re handling this very well. How how do you feel about what doing all of this? Um, I mean, I’m from Edmonton, so I know all about it. Um, it’s it’s just normal for me. Um, I know that there’s a lot of pressure playing in Canada, but to win in Canada means so much more than to, you know, win in the States somewhere that isn’t hockey isn’t as popular as in in Vancouver. So, I love it. It’s awesome. I love that the fans are passionate. So, what do you expect from Thursday night? Like, you’ve seen McDavid twice. the Friday game last week was pretty much a dress rehearsal, but the lights go on. It’s opening night. Like, how much more do you expect on Thursday than from what you’ve experienced? Um, probably just been more intensity. Like, I mean, every game’s every point is so crucial. You know, you never know what game can help you get into the playoffs if it’s close or anything like that. But obviously a bit more. But I’m excited. I’m, you know, I’m going to be ramping up, too. Um, you know, I think I can play even better. So, um, I’m excited. As a Seattle Thunderbird, have you heard of Peter Nad? I don’t think so. No. Okay. Do you know who he is? It sounds familiar, but I can can’t tell you for sure or not. 18year-old to play at the start of the season on this team was Peter N from the Seattle. Really? 1919. That’s pretty cool. That’s more than 30 years old. Now that uh we’re inching to that home opener, you got the roster lined up. How are you feeling about this team that you have in front of you? Good. I thought what we had a good camp. Um we saw a lot of things we were working on coming to the games and now we I felt like the last game against Edmonton really felt like a regular season game. So our message is just keep playing how we’re playing. Yeah, it’s going to rev up, but you know that was a real good hockey game and we applied a lot of good things. So, um, stick to what we’ve been doing, though it might feel like it’s revved up. What did you see out of Braden Coots cross camp in the previous? Great. I mean, he got better. He’s smart. He’s playing with good players. He can read off it. And, uh, the information he’s he doesn’t he seems not to get confused or it doesn’t slow him down. Um, obviously at times there might be an adjustment with certain things, but he’s handled it well and we’re just going to take it dayto-day. What are the challenges he’s going to face going forward? Now he’s on the roster. He’s going to be playing in the regular season as an 18-year-old that jumps right into the fire here in the NHL. Well, we’ll see what they are. Um, you know, I I don’t want to project because he might be able to handle things better than other young guys and some things he may not. So whether the schedule gets tough or demanding or, you know, playing heavier guys, we’ll see. Um, but I think his brain’s there and we’re just going to take it one game at a time. Patrick talked about load management just now. Is that something you guys have to be aware of, not just with him, but with all of your players with the condensed schedule? I think so. I think it’s something we have to keep an eye on all year and that with practices as well, like having more as the season goes. There going to be less practice time. Things we still have to manage and go over for we’ll get out there at times early. Though it’s try to say to the players, it’s not actual work. It’s a walkth through just to go through whether we’re doing an OZP or three and three or something. So, we’re gonna have to think that way a little bit out of the box. I I believe with that condensed schedule, but going back to the the load, we have to really focus on that with certain players and young guys, but also some, you know, we’ve got good young D that we can get rotated if we have to um and get them the reps that way. with a guy like Coots, like we see the goals, we see the skill, but the play that he made to win the battle to get the puck to Leer Mackey on the first goal the other night, like how much does that mean to you guys as a coaching staff to sort of see him in the battle and and come out top? Yeah. Well, he he’s working to get in the right position. I mean, it’s the hardest thing for young guys to do is the work when the puck leaves their area, whether they made the pass or, you know, it goes low to high for a defender. Sometimes he looks where it went and the guy gets beat to the net or with a guy like Cooch he does his next there’s always the next play the next job and moving your feet to the next position and that gives that we want all our players to be like that but he’s been good at it and that helps him with the physical part because he’s usually in better body position so then he’ll let his brain his body defend kind of like you know O’Reilly defended that for a long time people in Colorado concerned about his feet And I’m not saying Coots is slow. I’m saying give you an example. Well, he defended with his body, his brain, his positioning. Um, and uh, Coots is pretty smart where he’s been defending as well with getting above pucks, getting above players. You have a lot of young guys on this team. Does it feel like a young team? Uh, a little bit, but I mean, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t I guess I never thought about that to be honest with you. Uh, what I like is the way the leadership group’s carrying young guys as far as I wouldn’t say carry as much as they’re playing so much harder and better for them. They’re they’re helping them. Um, they’re walking through it. They’re communicating with them. Um, which I love. Like if a player does something, you know, stay on the ice when he fell, they’ll go, “Okay, no, don’t do that again.” I love that stuff. So, they’re being very supportive. good teammates and I like uh that helps the young guys. What about the absence of Bluger? I mean I know you deal next man up mentality but uh how big a hole is that off the bat and penalty kill? Yeah, we just you know someone else going to have to go and get get a bigger role there. So coaches have been doing a good job knowing he’s going to be out for the first one that will, you know, do the extra video, do the extra walkthroughs and give the confidence to the next player that may have to be there. Adam, two question. What does it say about Braden? The fact that he’s made this hockey team because I don’t think he was on anybody’s radar to to start the season here as a center in the NHL as a teenager and also I don’t know if it’s out of necessity or the fact that maybe it’s a different mindset that you have so many young players in this lineup. Yeah. Well, he he deserved it. He earned it. I mean, we we kept going. We’ll see what tomorrow looks like. And that’s the just to answer a lot of your questions and moving forward. That’s how we’re going to keep going. um it shows you his brain, his to be able to take information at a young age and apply it and not get rattled. Um there’s gonna be moments where he’ll feel that way. Um and that’s normal for even a veteran player, but uh he’s got a good group around him that’ll help him get through it. And it’s a bright future whatever happens with them. But I’m we’re the type of group that just goes I know it sounds so cliche, but we’re we’re taking it day by day. Last question. Guys, rooms open up. Um, we talk a lot about Braden Cuts’s first game, but it’s your first game as a head coach leading up to Thursday. So, how are you handling uh that those emotions going into that um your first game as a head coach? just go back to we doing the work like just like the players you know what I touched on earlier with us with the players was yeah it’s it was a reg or sorry it was preseason but Edmonton wasn’t a big game and if we play that way you know there’s going to be loud there’s going to be more noise we got to put that noise in the drawer and put it away until after the game and focus on what we’ve been working on it’s the same thing as our coaching staff and for me we we did the work we believe in what we’re doing will work and we’ll we’ll get when you know there’s too much noise or emotions like you said might come in you just ground yourself back to to that that what we’ve worked on and that’s how I’m going to approach

Quinn Hughes, Braeden Cootes & Head Coach Adam Foote speak to the media after morning practice.

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