67's Quinn eager to hit Canadian juniors camp

Finally, after seven months of off-ice training and makeshift hockey workouts, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Jack Quinn.

Quinn hopes that light ends up becoming gold, as in winning a world junior championship for Canada.

“It came out of the blue a little bit,” Quinn said of the unique plan to have Canada’s top junior talent take part in a month-long evaluation camp within a bubble in Red Deer, Alta., beginning

Nov. 16.

The camp ends Dec. 13, with the final roster moving on to help Canada defend its title — without spectators — in Edmonton over Christmas and New Year’s.

Quinn, who scored 52 goals and 37 assists in 62 games with the Ottawa 67’s last season and was drafted eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres earlier this month, heard the news from André Tourigny late Wednesday.

Tourigny, Canada’s world junior coach, also doubles as

67’s coach and vice-president of hockey operations.

“We were guessing that maybe (the camp) would look something like that, but we didn’t know exactly what it would look like. It kind of makes sense to do it this way, in a year with so much uncertainty.”

The “we” includes fellow 67’s star Graeme Clarke, Quinn’s regular training partner.

The skating drills have been limited, however, because a maximum of 10 players are allowed on the ice at one time. In addition, body contact isn’t allowed due to the guidelines imposed by public health officials.

When the camp does open, Tourigny expects it will take time for players to readjust.

“It is tough,” says Quinn. “I don’t think you can mimic (actual) games, but you do the best you can. Sometimes, you can do battle drills and two-on-two drills, but with COVID rules, you can’t do that.”

While the OHL announced earlier this week that it plans to return on Feb. 4, Ontario Sports Minister Lisa MacLeod on Friday maintained that body checking won’t be allowed when the games resume, a “necessary step” to prevent a spread of COVID-19.

There have been outbreaks in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, which is playing on (with some postponements) with body checking, despite COVID concerns.

Quinn believes it will harder for everyone to get up to speed because of the altered training and the fact it has been a longer off-season.

At the same time, it has already been a special October for Quinn, who grew up in Cobden, only 70 minutes west of Ottawa. After making him a top-10 selection, Buffalo is banking on Quinn becoming a major part of the organization’s future. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I’m super excited that Buffalo chose me.”

He hasn’t, however, looked too far ahead. Making the Sabres is a longer-term goal. For now, his eyes are set on Canadian colours.

“Even then (after being drafted), the next goal was to make the world junior team because I knew that was the next chance to play, with the (world championship) dates set.

“After waiting six or seven months, (camp) is only two weeks away.”

If all goes well, Quinn will have another prize to chase in the

New Year. The NHL is tentatively scheduled to restart in early January, but there are growing indications that the start of the season could be pushed back into late January or early February.

“I have no idea what Buffalo’s plan is, I’m not sure at all,” said Quinn. “I would assume I would go to their training camp if I make the world junior team and after the tournament is over.”

When you’ve waited this long to return, it’s a case of following one dream at a time.