Fans of the Buffalo Sabres have a lot to look forward to when the 2022-23 season rolls around, and one of the hottest commodities is forward Jack Quinn.
The former eighth overall draft pick has given Buffalo Sabres fans even more reasons to be optimistic when October rolls around. Yesterday, the AHL announced Quinn won the Dudley (Red) Garrett Award, annually given to the AHL’s most outstanding rookie.
This award comes just days after Quinn, along with teammate J.J. Peterka, were named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. In October 2021, the AHL also named Quinn Rookie of the Month. So needless to say, the forward has evolved into a legit prospect who will definitely join the NHL ranks this fall.
Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn wins AHL Rookie of the Year Honors
Quinn, who averaged 1.34 points per game this season, led all AHL rookies in the category. He also finished third in points per game overall, behind T.J. Tynan and Andrew Poturalski. Quinn also tied Peterka in goals scored with 25, which ranked third among AHL rookies.
What is even more amazing about Quinn‘s production is that he managed all of the above, plus 34 assists, in just 44 games of a possible 76 games. Just think of how dominant he would have been had he played the entire season. Do the math (76 X 1.34), and that equals 102 points.
The Sabres even enlisted Quinn’s services for two NHL games in which he logged a pair of points. Unfortunately, an injury set him back, which further explains why he missed so much time upon returning to the AHL ranks.
Before this season, Quinn made a cameo appearance in the AHL. In 15 games that season, he logged nine points. A solid, but short campaign for a young player getting his first taste in professional hockey’s second-tier.
Overall, the Sabres organization as a whole has given fans a reason to be optimistic. And with Quinn’s accomplishments juxtaposed by Peterka’s solid play in the AHL this season, expect to see an even better Sabres team take the ice. It may only be the end of April, but Sabres fans will be asking the same question all season long: Is it October yet?
(Statistics provided by Hockey DB)