By Warren Kozireski —
Buffalo needs offense and hopes they found some in selecting right wing Jack Quinn eight overall as the first draft pick for new Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams. The Ottawa 67’s (OHL) junior player shoots right, stands 6’0”,176 lb. and, in 2019-20, tied for eighth in the OHL with 52-37—89 in 62 games as one of two players in the league with 50 goals.
“A very exciting night for me and my family; I had no expectations of where I was going to go,” Quinn said via Zoom after his selection. “I think my main asset is that I’m an offensive player who likes to shoot the puck, but being an all-around player and not just an offensive player.
“When I think of Buffalo, I think of a great sports town and a great spot and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
It has been a quick rise for Quinn, who was playing one level below Junior A just two seasons ago. He was named CCHL Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 after recording 21-25—46 in 49 contests with the Kanata Lasers.
Then he managed only 12 goals over 61 games in 2018-19—his first full-time OHL season in Ottawa—before exploding this past year.
“There were a lot of factors (in his year-to-year improvement)—a great off season training wise and using my competitiveness and try to make plays so my mindset changed from one year to the next. I’ve gotten better each year as a player and I want to keep doing that.”
In the Draft Scouting Report released by the NHL, he is described as a “dynamic skater who can fly with the puck on his stick. Lethal shot with an exceptional release. Strong two-way game. Plays in all situations. Sniper with highlight-reel goal-scoring ability.”
This marked the fourth time that the Sabres selected in the No. 8 slot, with each such pick coming in the last seven years –they drafted defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen in 2013 and forwards Alexander Nylander in 2016 and Casey Mittelstadt in 2017.
