The Penguins on Wednesday named David Quinn assistant coach, filling the void left by Todd Reirden's firing.
The Penguins said that Quinn will manage the Penguins' defensemen, but didn't mention any special teams groups.
“David Quinn brings a wealth of coaching and developmental experience across the highest levels of professional and international hockey,” Kyle Dubas said. “Quinn has a long track record of helping elite defensemen reach their full potential, and we look forward to the impact he can make on our defensive group and our entire program. Coach Quinn’s experience, character, energy and enthusiasm make him a great fit for Coach Sullivan’s coaching staff.”
Quinn most recently served as the Sharks' head coach the last two seasons, and was previously head coach of the Rangers from 2018-21. He served as an assistant coach for the Avalanche from 2012-13.
Outside of the NHL, Quinn's experience includes being an assistant coach with Northeastern University from 1993-96, University of Nebraska-Omaha from 1996-02, head coach of the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2002-04, associate head coach of Boston University from 2004-09, head coach of the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters from 2009-12, and head coach of Boston University from 2013-18.
Quinn coached Erik Karlsson in San Jose during Karlsson's 2022-23 Norris Trophy-winning season, and Drew O'Connor with Team USA during the 2023 World Championship.
Mike Sullivan and Quinn were teammates during their playing days at Boston University, and have remained close friends since.
“He’s a very good teacher,” Sullivan said of Quinn last season. “He has a good understanding of the game, a good command of the Xs and Os. He understands how to help players improve and grow and get better. I think his experience in college hockey would really help (the rebuilding Sharks) in that regard, just dealing with the younger generation and trying to help players grow and develop as people.”
The assistant coaching position was the first of the two big openings the Penguins needed to fill this season, the other being Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's head coaching job. Dubas told me in Buffalo this weekend that the search is "into the final stretch. We'll have the final round of interviews this week and maybe next weekend or the week after. Certainly before the draft, we hope to have that wrapped up."
