Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2020 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we look at Jack Quinn.
Just a few days off from being eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, Jack Quinn is one of the older first-time eligible players in this year’s draft class. He took his game to another level in his second full OHL season, scoring 52 goals and 37 assists for 89 points in 62 games. Along with fellow draft-eligible forward Marco Rossi, Quinn made sure that NHL scouts took plenty of trips to Ottawa to check out the 67s. While they usually played on separate lines, the duo helped the team to be one of the favourites in the Ontario Hockey League before the season was shut down.
Quinn was drafted in the second round, 39th overall by the 67s in the 2017 OHL Priority Draft. He would spend most of his 16-year-old season playing Junior A hockey for the Kanata Lasers, as he appeared in just eight games for the 67s, picking up one assist. Last year, Quinn got regular OHL time. He made the most of it, scoring 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points in 61 games. He added three goals and seven points in 18 playoff games.
Jack Quinn Scouting Report
Right Wing — shoots Right
Born September 19th, 2001 — Cobden, Ontario
Height 6’0″ — Weight 176 lbs [183 cm/80 kg]
Skating
Quinn’s skating drastically improved between his first and second OHL season. He is much faster and has better acceleration and this has made him far more dangerous. They now rate as good to very good. His edgework and agility have also improved. Combining these skills, Quinn is able to make quick moves on the defence, and once he gets by them he can accelerate to the net. He is also stronger on his skates, with better balance, and the ability to fight through checks and get to the front of the net. This also helps him to win battles on the boards. This is an aspect of his game that should continue to improve as he matures and becomes stronger in his lower body.
Offensive Game
Quinn is a sniper who can score in a variety of ways. He has an excellent wrist shot and a quick release. He often uses his quick hands to pull off a toe-drag just before shooting, varying his release point and creating issues for goalies. Quinn can also score with a snapshot, one-timer, and even on the backhand. He is also good in close to the net, with the quick hands to pounce on a rebound, bang in a pass from a teammate, and tip in a shot. Quinn has the smarts to find the open spaces in the defence and get open for that pass from a teammate.
While mainly a goal-scorer, Quinn has become a more complete player as the season has gone on. He has become a better playmaker, showing off his vision and passing skills. He has also worked to become better on the boards, winning battles and creating more scoring opportunities. With his improved stickhandling and skating ability, Quinn has become much better at maintaining possession and working the puck in the cycle game. He shows high-end hockey IQ as he often makes the smart pass with the puck on his stick. Once he moves the puck, he finds open space for a give-and-go.
Defensive Game
Quinn is a hard worker who brings that effort and energy to all three zones. While he is not going to throw huge hits, he is willing to engage physically and battles for loose pucks. He effectively brings backpressure to support the defence against the transition game. Quinn has an active stick and works well at cutting down passing and shooting lanes. He is not afraid to put his body on the line to block a shot. His smart positioning has made him an effective penalty killer. He also brings the threat of offence. Once a turnover is created he is quick to get out in transition to create a scoring chance.
Projection and Comparison
Quinn’s goal-scoring ability, hard work, and effective two-way game give him the ability to become a top-line winger if he develops to his full potential. He could still get stronger and continue to improve on his skating so further development time is required. One more year at the OHL level, and perhaps a chance to compete in the World Juniors is on the horizon. Quinn’s game is reminiscent of Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on talent or ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Jack Quinn that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Jack Quinn Main Photo:
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 02: Ottawa 67’s Right Wing Jack Quinn (22) before a face-off during Ontario Hockey League action between the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Ottawa 67’s on February 2, 2020, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
