Maple Leafs Prospect Jacob Quillan Reveals Lofty Expectations for Himself at Training Camp
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck - USA Today Sports
While a lot of attention is being diverted towards top prospects like Easton Cowan, Jacob Quillan can be a surprise addition to the Leafs Opening Night roster.
With rookie camps having just recently opened, training camps will soon follow suit before the eventual opening night of the 2024-25 regular season. The Toronto Maple Leafs made several additions to their roster from last year. They also brought in a new head coach, and they could be looking at some fresh young faces making their NHL debuts, including Jacob Quillan.
In an interview with Nick Barden of The Hockey News, the Quinnipiac standout talked about his expectations heading into camp and how he is eyeing his opportunity to make the big club ahead of opening night.
"I want to make the Maple Leafs. So, that's my expectation," Quillan said on Friday ahead of two games with Toronto's rookies inside the Bell Centre. "Just looking to improve every day and get better and learn from all the great people in [this organization]."
Barden also tweeted out line combinations from line rushes at the Maple Leafs' final practice before heading out to Montreal and it had Quillan playing as the second line centre with Brandon Lisowsky on his left and Roni Hirvonen and Ty Voit alternating on his right - further exemplifying his importance already.
Growing up as a fan of the Maple Leafs, he is not only excited about the upcoming opportunity, but honoured to be representing his boyhood team:
"It's an honor to wear the jersey for sure," he said. "Such a great organization, so it's going to be fun to put the sweater on."
Down the middle, the Leafs boast the likes of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, David Kampf, and Pontus Holmberg. With the question marks in the bottom-6, Quillan sees an opportunity to step in and steal a job at center.
"I mean, it's a big challenge. But, anywhere you go is going to be a big challenge, so I'm just looking to improve every day and if I get the opportunity, I'm going to try to make the most of it," he said.
"I think I can bring a 200-foot game and be a guy who wins draws, can penalty kill, and stuff like that. Just bring a complete game."
"I think I can bring a 200-foot game and be a guy who wins draws, can penalty kill, and stuff like that. Just bring a complete game."
Quillan started out with Quinnipiac University in 2021-22 after spending a year with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL the year prior. He has improved from 9 points in 36 games in 2021-22 to 38 points in 41 games during the following season before scoring 17 goals and 46 points in just 39 contests in 2023-24. He finished the year with the Toronto Marlies, where he tallied an assist in 7 regular season contests and appeared in 3 more post-season games.
Marlies' head coach John Gruden appreciates his confidence and pursuit to being the best player he possibly can be, however he hopes he can stay grounded and understand that it might take a little bit of time to adjust from the NCAA to the AHL - before even making the leap to the NHL.
"It's great that he feels that way. Every player should. He came from a good college program in the US. They won a National Championship. He has that pedigree and he understands what it takes to win. So with that being said, he feels like he has value, so they signed him for a reason," Gruden said.
"At the end of the day, he's going to come here and just start with us (the Marlies), have a good showing, and then go from there. That should be any kid's dream when they get signed, so for him he's just got to stay focused, make sure he's focused on the little things, structurally, away from the puck, and the rest will take care of itself."
"At the end of the day, he's going to come here and just start with us (the Marlies), have a good showing, and then go from there. That should be any kid's dream when they get signed, so for him he's just got to stay focused, make sure he's focused on the little things, structurally, away from the puck, and the rest will take care of itself."
It remains to be seen if Quillan makes the Maple Leafs out of camp but for the time being the ultra confident standout from Quinnipiac University looks poised to blaze a pathway with the Marlies early on in 2024-25 season before a potential call-up to fulfill his childhood dream of donning the Maple Leafs sweater in his NHL debut.
Source for the interview: Hockey News
'I Want To Make The Maple Leafs': Confident Jacob Quillan Has Eyes on NHL Ahead of Training Camp With Odds Stacked Against Him
'I Want To Make The Maple Leafs': Confident Jacob Quillan Has Eyes on NHL Ahead of Training Camp With Odds Stacked Against Him
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 14 | 600 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Prospect Jacob Quillan Reveals Lofty Expectations for Himself at Training Camp Does Jacob Quillan make the Maple Leafs outright from training camp? | ||
| No, he needs time to develop and no room currently | 492 | 82 % |
| If he has a strong camp, he has a good chance | 108 | 18 % |
| List of polls | ||
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