BU's Quinn tabbed as HC of 2019 U.S. National Junior Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – David Quinn (Cranston, R.I./Boston University), head coach of the Boston University men’s ice hockey team, has been named head coach of the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team, it was announced today by USA Hockey.

The U.S. National Junior Team will take part in the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2018 – Jan. 5, 2019, in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

Joining Quinn behind the bench will be assistant coaches Mike Hastings (Crookston, Minn./Minnesota State), David Lassonde (Durham, N.H./Dartmouth College) and Steve Miller (Columbus, Ohio/Ohio State University).

It's only April, but we already know that #BUSA will be in British Columbia at next year's World Juniors. Congrats, Coach! #ProudToBU https://t.co/qou8YYToq3 pic.twitter.com/4lFXcrIqmN

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) April 20, 2018

“We’re thrilled to have David leading our national junior team,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “He knows the international stage and our player pool extremely well and has been a big part of our program for a long time. We know that David and our outstanding group of assistant coaches will do a tremendous job with our team.”

Quinn, while making his debut as a head coach for Team USA at an IIHF event, has been part of the coaching staff of seven previous U.S. teams in IIHF world championship play.

“It is always an honor to represent our country, and I’m particularly excited to be asked to serve as head coach in what is considered one of the greatest hockey tournaments,” said Quinn. “The United States has medaled in this tournament three straight years, which is a real testament to the growth and depth of talent across the country. We have a great coaching staff put together and we have one goal, and that is to win the gold medal.”

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A defenseman on the 1986 U.S. National Junior Team that claimed the country’s first-ever medal in IIHF World Junior Championship tournament history (bronze), Quinn previously served as an assistant coach for the 2005 U.S. National Junior Team. He also filled the same capacity for a pair of silver medal-winning U.S. Women’s National Teams (1999, 2000), three U.S. Men’s National Teams (2007, 2012, 2016) and the 2003 U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team.

Additionally, Quinn spent two seasons (2002-04) as a head coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. During his tenure at the NTDP, he led the U.S. to first-place finishes at the 2002 Four Nations Tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan; the 2003 Four Nations Cup in Magnitogorsk, Russia; and the 2004 Vlad Dzurilla Four Nations Tournament in Piestany, Slovakia. For his accomplishments, he was recognized as the 2003 USA Hockey Development Coach of the Year.

Head coach of his alma mater since 2014-15, Quinn has led the Terriers to four straight appearances in the NCAA tournament (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), a pair of Hockey East tournament titles, a Beanpot championship and a NCAA national championship game berth.

David Quinn to serve as head coach of the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team → https://t.co/QAm9MPUCBt
#USAWJC | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/wnPQSSHUCc

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 20, 2018

Quinn returned to Boston University after professional coaching stints with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche (2012-13) and American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters (2009-12). As a head coach in Lake Erie, Quinn guided the Monsters to their first-ever playoff berth in 2010-11. In between the NTDP and Lake Erie, he spent five seasons (2004-09) as the associate head coach at Boston University, where he helped the Terriers win the 2009 NCAA national championship. Quinn’s other collegiate coaching positions have been at Northeastern (1995-96) and Nebraska-Omaha (1996-2002).

Selected in the first round (13th overall) by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, Quinn’s playing career ended prematurely after he was diagnosed with a blood disorder called Christmas Disease. Prior to his career ending, Quinn was an All-Hockey East and All-New England defenseman as well as co-captain during his senior year in 1987-88 for head coach Jack Parker at Boston University.