Canadian · Hamilton, Ontario · Born 29 January 1943One of hockey's greatest coaches — three Jack Adams Award wins and the man who built the 1982 Canucks run.
John Brian Patrick Quinn was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1943. He played eight professional seasons as a defenceman before becoming one of hockey's most respected coaches. As a coach he won three Jack Adams Awards as NHL Coach of the Year (1980 with Philadelphia, 1992 with Vancouver, 2000 with Toronto). He coached the Vancouver Canucks to the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals. He coached Team Canada to the gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics — the first Canadian Olympic gold in men's hockey in 50 years. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016. He was one of the most physically intimidating players of his era as a defenceman — his body check against Bobby Orr in the 1969 playoffs that knocked Orr unconscious was one of the most controversial hits of the decade. He combined legal but devastating hitting as a player with an intellectual, strategic approach to coaching. He was universally respected in Canadian hockey for his integrity and his coaching achievements across 50 professional years.
Coaching Team Canada to Olympic gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
How They Played
As a player, Quinn was a physical, stay-at-home defenseman known for his tough, no-nonsense approach to the game. He was particularly effective at clearing the front of the net and wasn't afraid to use his body to protect his goaltender.
Lasting Impact
Quinn's greatest impact came as a coach and executive, where he helped develop numerous players and built competitive teams throughout his decades-long career behind the bench.
Career Honours
- Jack Adams Award 3x (1980,1992,2000)
- Hall of Fame (2016)
| Team | Period | GP | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Flames | 1977–1979 | — | — |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 1968–1970 | 606 | 18 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 1970–1977 | — | — |
Canadian Athletes