WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — If you sat down for a 10 minute conversation with 18 year old Jack Quinn, he would tell you more than once that he loves hockey. The Cobden native currently leads the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with 44 goals and six insurance goals, but remained humble as he talked about how his favourite player is Mitch Marner, alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Leafs are not his favourite team. “They’re not as exciting to watch as the Leafs, but I would say I’m a Sen’s fan.”
Born on September 19, 2001 to Jennifer Holly and Dan Quinn, Jack has been playing hockey since he began skating at what he says is three or four years old. “Right away I was in to it,” said Jack. “My parents put me in to it and I just loved it right away.”
Growing up with his younger sister Holly Quinn, 16, his parents are separated but both Ms. Holly and Mr. Quinn lived in Cobden. Jack attended Saint Michael’s Catholic Elementary School in Douglas, Ont. and St. Joseph’s High School in Renfrew, Ont.
When Jack was 16 years old, his dad moved to Ottawa, Ont. for work and Jack went to live with him while he played hockey. “The 67’s send all of us to Life Academy,” said Jack. “I graduated last year from it and I liked it.”
Over his two years with the Ottawa 67’s, Jack believes his skill set has progressed and he’s become better as a player. “I want to keep improving.” Jack enjoys being a part of the team and said, “We have such a close team and since we’re all such a close-knit group, the stuff we accomplish is that much cooler for us.” When asked how he feels about the fans, he exclaimed, “the fans are awesome, best fans in the league!”
Jack is now known as a high-end goal scorer who possesses a good shot and the understanding of where to be in the offensive zone. Yesterday, Craig Button, an analyst and scout for The Sports Network (TSN), tweeted: “…Don’t sleep on Jack Quinn who is the best goal scorer in the draft [and] a top 10 player in the draft IMO [in my opinion].” He spent his off season working out with Tony Greco in Kanata, Ont. and said it helped him a lot in getting ready for this season.
Jack doesn’t have any pregame rituals, but his mindset during a game is about doing the little things right and trying to play his best. “Obviously you’re thinking about scoring a little bit, but I try not to focus on that, I know I’ll get my chances,” said Jack. “I just try to let it happen.” Jack plays forward, or right wing, and said he likes scoring goals. “Being a forward, I like the offensive side of the game.” His reasons for playing hockey are just as pure. “It’s just simple, I love the game,” said Jack. “I love being around the guys and I love being a part of a team atmosphere.”
Jack played in the NHL prospects game last month and described what he said was a really cool experience. “Going there and meeting all of the guys from across the league was what I found was cool. You don’t know them at all, you’ve just played against some of them and some are in other leagues. Just making new friends and being able to go through it with them is cool. It’s a pretty surreal experience, playing in front of that many people on T.V. like that.”
His mom, Ms. Holly, sent him a photo of the “good luck” sign Olmstead’s Home Hardware in Cobden had set up outside for the NHL prospects game. “It was cool to see!”
Jack agreed his experience playing hockey in the Ottawa Valley prepared him for the high-caliber games he plays now. “Growing up I was always in competitive sports and games in the Valley. No matter how big the game is, if the game is on the line, it’s the same thing. So that kind of pressure helped for those moments.”
His words of advice for young hockey players? “Just enjoy it. Have as much fun with it as you can. That’s why everyone plays, because they love it. So work hard at it but make sure you love what you’re doing.”
Jack and the 67’s will be traveling down to Mississauga tonight, as they play the Mississauga Steelheads tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ont. The team is looking forward to the game and practiced on Tuesday, yesterday and today in preparation. “It’s a big game, for sure.”
