Confident Quine looking fine with Flames
It seems Alan Quine has a knack for impressive introductions.
A few days back, just hours after being recalled from the minor leagues and logging his debut in Calgary Flames’ colours, Quine announced his arrival at the Saddledome with a crucial insurance goal.
A few years back, remember, this is a guy who burst on scene during a spring splash with the New York Islanders, becoming the least-experienced marksman — a grand total of two regular-season appearances on his resume — to snipe an overtime winner in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“I think about that a lot,” said Quine, reminiscing about that two-round run with the Islanders in April/May of 2016. “I felt like I was an impact in those playoffs. So I know, deep down, that I can for sure play in this league. That is the hardest part of the year to play in, and I felt like I did a good job when I had that chance.
“I know I have all the tools and I’m confident in myself. That was probably my all-time high of confidence in the way I was playing, so every day I just try to get back to that level, which I know I can be. I’m just trying to work toward that.”
He had to get back to The Show first.
Now 25, Quine totalled 96 outings — including 10 playoff tilts — in parts of three campaigns with the Isles but didn’t receive a qualifying offer after last season.
He signed a two-way pact with the Flames as an unrestricted free agent and was promoted from the AHL’s Stockton Heat after fellow centre Mikael Backlund suffered a concussion last week.
Wearing No. 89 on his back, Quine has been solid in two twirls as the Flames’ fourth-line pivot.
He roofed a backhander in Saturday ’s 5-2 victory against the Nashville Predators and figured he had earned an assist the following night in Edmonton after his shot glanced off the leg of tough guy Anthony Peluso. Turns out, that would-be tying tally was overturned due to goaltender interference.
Quine will remain in Calgary’s lineup for Wednesday’s tussle with the Philadelphia Flyers at the Saddledome (6:30 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).
“I think I’ve played fairly well,” Quine said. “I’ve been put in a little different role here, so I have to make sure that I’m good defensively first. And then when I get the puck, I have to create.”
Quine’s father, Sean, was ready for this opportunity, too.
He hustled from Ottawa to Calgary after his son received a callup, arriving Saturday to witness this latest impressive introduction.
“He’s an Air Canada pilot, so it was pretty easy for him to jump on a flight,” Quine said. “He was pumped up. He was happy he made it here and was able to see it live.
“I only saw him for about 10 minutes after the game, but it made his weekend, for sure.”
The younger Quine is hoping his next flight is on the Flames’ charter and not en route back to Stockton. “He knows how to play,” praised Flames coach Bill Peters. “He has close to 100 games in the league. So he’s been there, done that. He’s played in the NHL playoffs. He’s been on a fairly big stage, in that regard. And he’s a good pro.”