Quintin Laing
Encyclopedia
Quintin Laing is a Canadian
ice hockey player for the Abbotsford Heat
of the American Hockey League
.
, Laing made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks
during the 2003-2004 season, but only skated in three games. Laing has spent a great deal of time playing minor league hockey, most recently with the Hershey Bears
, but has stood out to his team and fans alike as a player with great work ethic and commitment to the game. In the early 2010 season he was signed by the Abbotsford Heat, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames
.
because of his penalty killing abilities. On his way to the airport, Laing made a promise to himself: play each shift as if it were his last.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401960.html Laing made an immediate impact on the team, and his outstanding effort was rewarded as he remained on the team after Gordon returned from his injury.
Laing scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, on December 10, 2007, against Kevin Weekes
of the New Jersey Devils
, however he well known for his shot blocking skills, and led the NHL in blocked shots per game for a large portion of the season. Opponents scored fewer goals and took fewer shots per sixty minutes of ice time when Laing was on the ice than any other Capital http://japersrink.blogspot.com/2008/05/2007-08-rink-wrap-quintin-laing.html. Laing is the Masterton Trophy nominee from the Capitals for the 2007-2008 season, which is awarded to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=356820.
His teammates have offered glowing reviews of his dedication to the game: "He's a heart-and-soul guy," Capitals winger Brooks Laich
said of Laing. "He lays his body out there, relentlessly and religiously in front of pucks. He does the little things that help you win." Goalie Brent Johnson
added: "He's an old-time hockey player. People want to see scoring, but as a goaltender you appreciate guys like him. He went down and blocked a shot with his chest. I went up to him afterward, and said, 'Seriously, you keep that up and you're going to be here.'" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401960.html
On October 6, 2008, Laing was put on waivers and sent to the Hershey Bears
, the Washington Capitals
AHL
affiliate, as the Capitals were simply too deep at forward. Capitals coach, Bruce Boudreau
said that it was one of toughest cuts he had ever had to make because, "Quintin was so proud to be a Washington Capital." http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2008/10/boudreau_talks_about_the_cuts.html#comments
Laing was injured while playing with the Bears during the 2008-2009 season. After recovering, he was almost immediately called up to the Capitals due to multiple injuries in Washington's forward corps. His first NHL game of the year, against the Tampa Bay Lightning
on March 19, 2009, resulted in an assist and a blocked shot in 10 minutes of ice time. However, after the game he began complaining of abdominal pain and the Capitals' trainer realized that he had a serious injury. He was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that he had torn his spleen. He was placed in intensive care and immediately ruled out for the remainder of the season. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2009/03/the_latest_on_laing.html#more However, Laing returned for Hershey in game 3 of the AHL Eastern Conference finals. http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2009/05/laings_return_gives_bears_a_li.html
Laing was the third NHL player to be diagnosed with swine flu within the same week. Capitals spokesman Nate Ewell reported that Laing was being treated for H1N1 while being kept well away from his fellow Capitals players. Laing sat out the next few games until he was well enough to return on Sunday, November 1st. Laing scored his first goal of the season the night of his return.
In a November 17, 2009 tilt against the New York Rangers at [MSG], Laing, while sprawling on the ice to block a passing lane, suffered a broken jaw after a slapshot caught his face. He was placed on the long-term IR the next day and was expected to miss upwards of 6-8 weeks.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ice hockey player for the Abbotsford Heat
Abbotsford Heat
The Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
.
Career
Originally a draft choice of the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Laing made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
during the 2003-2004 season, but only skated in three games. Laing has spent a great deal of time playing minor league hockey, most recently with the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, but has stood out to his team and fans alike as a player with great work ethic and commitment to the game. In the early 2010 season he was signed by the Abbotsford Heat, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
.
Washington Capitals
During the 2007-2008 season, Laing was called up to replace the injured Boyd GordonBoyd Gordon
Boyd Gordon is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL.-Playing career:Gordon was drafted in the 1st round, 17th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
because of his penalty killing abilities. On his way to the airport, Laing made a promise to himself: play each shift as if it were his last.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401960.html Laing made an immediate impact on the team, and his outstanding effort was rewarded as he remained on the team after Gordon returned from his injury.
Laing scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, on December 10, 2007, against Kevin Weekes
Kevin Weekes
Kevin Weekes is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who most recently played for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . He is now a color commentator on Hockey Night in Canada, and a studio analyst for NHL on the Fly.- Player :Weekes' career began with the Owen...
of the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, however he well known for his shot blocking skills, and led the NHL in blocked shots per game for a large portion of the season. Opponents scored fewer goals and took fewer shots per sixty minutes of ice time when Laing was on the ice than any other Capital http://japersrink.blogspot.com/2008/05/2007-08-rink-wrap-quintin-laing.html. Laing is the Masterton Trophy nominee from the Capitals for the 2007-2008 season, which is awarded to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=356820.
His teammates have offered glowing reviews of his dedication to the game: "He's a heart-and-soul guy," Capitals winger Brooks Laich
Brooks Laich
Evan Brooks Laich is a Canadian ice hockey player with the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. Laich was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, and was later traded to the Capitals as part of the package for Peter Bondra...
said of Laing. "He lays his body out there, relentlessly and religiously in front of pucks. He does the little things that help you win." Goalie Brent Johnson
Brent Johnson
Brent Johnson is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
added: "He's an old-time hockey player. People want to see scoring, but as a goaltender you appreciate guys like him. He went down and blocked a shot with his chest. I went up to him afterward, and said, 'Seriously, you keep that up and you're going to be here.'" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401960.html
On October 6, 2008, Laing was put on waivers and sent to the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, as the Capitals were simply too deep at forward. Capitals coach, Bruce Boudreau
Bruce Boudreau
Bruce Allan Boudreau is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach and current head coach of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . As a player, Boudreau played professionally for 20 seasons, logging 141 games in the NHL and 30 games in the World Hockey Association...
said that it was one of toughest cuts he had ever had to make because, "Quintin was so proud to be a Washington Capital." http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2008/10/boudreau_talks_about_the_cuts.html#comments
Laing was injured while playing with the Bears during the 2008-2009 season. After recovering, he was almost immediately called up to the Capitals due to multiple injuries in Washington's forward corps. His first NHL game of the year, against the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
on March 19, 2009, resulted in an assist and a blocked shot in 10 minutes of ice time. However, after the game he began complaining of abdominal pain and the Capitals' trainer realized that he had a serious injury. He was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that he had torn his spleen. He was placed in intensive care and immediately ruled out for the remainder of the season. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2009/03/the_latest_on_laing.html#more However, Laing returned for Hershey in game 3 of the AHL Eastern Conference finals. http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2009/05/laings_return_gives_bears_a_li.html
Laing was the third NHL player to be diagnosed with swine flu within the same week. Capitals spokesman Nate Ewell reported that Laing was being treated for H1N1 while being kept well away from his fellow Capitals players. Laing sat out the next few games until he was well enough to return on Sunday, November 1st. Laing scored his first goal of the season the night of his return.
In a November 17, 2009 tilt against the New York Rangers at [MSG], Laing, while sprawling on the ice to block a passing lane, suffered a broken jaw after a slapshot caught his face. He was placed on the long-term IR the next day and was expected to miss upwards of 6-8 weeks.