The Sharks formally introduced new head coach
David Quinn to the media on Tuesday morning during a press conference at SAP
Center. Quinn becomes the 11th head coach in franchise history, replacing Bob
Boughner who was relieved of his duties earlier this summer.
Quinn
walks into a rebuild that leaves him with fewer weapons than those teams that
will be battling for a Stanley Cup this season. He spent three seasons as the
bench boss for the New York Rangers, compiling a 96-87-25 record. His only
playoff appearance during that period was in 2020 when the Rangers were swept
by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Qualifying Round.
His professional
career was limited to 79 games, played in the AHL and IHL. After being drafted
13th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1984, Quinn elected to continue at
Boston University. He tried out for the 1988 Olympic Team, where he was
diagnosed with Haemophilia, a blood clotting disorder.
While trying
out for the 1992 Olympic Team, the Rangers signed him to a contract where he
went on to play with the affiliate Binghamton Rangers. He finished his playing
career in 1992-93 with the Cleveland Lumberjacks.
He subsequently
turned to coaching, which has seen stints in the AHL, USA Hockey and his alma
mater in Boston. He coached the Terriers from 2013 through 2018, compiling a
105-69-21 record. The Terriers were runners up in the NCAA Frozen Four in 2015
under Quinn's leadership.
Ironically, Quinn's first NHL victory as
head coach of the Rangers came against the Sharks in October of 2018.
The Rhode Island native deftly answered a handful of questions from reporters.
He was comfortable in front of the microphone, responding to the typical Bay
area media.
When asked about how he would handle younger
players, Quinn was direct. "I've coached a lot of players, and you have to be
demanding but fair...when you have 18 and 19 year old players, they may be set
in their ways, which may not translate to the NHL."
Sharks General
Manager Mike Grier added his opinion on comments that Quinn was hard on young
players.
"Regardless of age, we expect accountability." He opined on
some of the situations that Quinn dealt with in New York regarding younger
players, citing several players who had to earn their ice time and situational
roles.
Quinn will no doubt be faced with a lineup of younger players
as the Sharks try to re-establish themselves as a playoff caliber team.
Complete Sharks Coaching
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