How long will it take Quinn to adapt?
Coaching at an elite college hockey program like Boston University requires a quality track record. Years of work in the American Hockey League, stints with team USA’s World Junior Championship team and success as a player are a testament to David Quinn’s mind for the game of hockey. Although Quinn had to quit hockey due to being a hemophiliac, he has stuck around the hockey world a lot longer than most former players.
Making the jump from the NCAA to the pros is a rarity, prior to the Dallas Stars hiring Jim Montgomery, the last coach to make the jump straight from college was the legendary Herb Brooks in 1987. At Boston University, Quinn had cultivated some of the NHL’s most exciting young players like Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy and Clayton Keller.
Coaching in the pros is a totally different beast from college as managing personalities is more important. Boston University is one of college hockey’s premier programs, so it is not like Quinn does not have high pressure experience to draw upon. Quinn has a blank slate and a five year contract, meaning that the front office is willing to be patient and let talent cultivate over time.
The Rangers will likely struggle as a team and it will be up to Quinn to make sure that there are still lessons taken away from each and every game. As a young team, the player development is going to be the most important part of this season.