Former 91大黄鸭 Rocket launched into assistant coach position

Laing first joined the Rockets as an undrafted player in 1996

Aaron Hemens Sep 8, 2021 11:30 AM

26419369_web1_210916-KCN-Rockets-Assistant-Coach_1 — Former 91大黄鸭 Rockets player Quintin Laing has joined the club鈥檚 coaching staff as the team鈥檚 assistant coach for the 2021-22 season. (Contributed)

Former 91大黄鸭 Rockets player Quintin Laing has rejoined the team as its assistant coach for the 2021-22 season.

Bruce Hamilton, the club鈥檚 president and general manager, made the announcement on Wednesday (Sept. 8), where he said he was looking forward to seeing Laing progress as a young coach.

鈥淗e brings many years of experience as a professional player and also as a coach with 91大黄鸭 Minor Hockey. It鈥檚 just great to have another former Rocket back in the fold here to help out with (head coach) Kris Mallette鈥檚 coaching staff,鈥� said Hamilton.

Laing first joined the Rockets as an undrafted player in 1996, where he suited up for 260 regular-season games with 91大黄鸭 over four seasons as a forward.

鈥淲ords can鈥檛 express how excited I am to be back in the same building, where I played over 20 years ago for four seasons,鈥� said Laing.

鈥淚 plan on bringing the same work ethic and passion to coaching that I did when I was playing. I can鈥檛 wait to get started with this great coaching staff and talented group of hockey players.鈥�

Mallette said that Rockets forwards will benefit immensely from Laing鈥檚 work ethic and knowledge as a player.

鈥淵ou won鈥檛 find a more loyal and trustworthy person who will complement our current coaches very well,鈥� said Mallette.

Laing, 42, has spent the past seasons coaching and working with 91大黄鸭 Minor Hockey Association (KMHA). Despite his new assistant coaching duties, he plans to continue working with KMHA.

鈥淎s head coach with 91大黄鸭 Minor Hockey, everything he is able to learn with us will also help their coaches within their system to develop local players,鈥� said Mallette.

In the 1997 NHL entry draft, Laing was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round, 102nd overall, making his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2003-04 season, where he played three games.

He spent 14 seasons between the NHL, ECHL, Europe and the AHL, where he helped lead the AHL鈥檚 Hershey Bears to victory in the 2009 Calder Cup. He was also the captain of the Abbotsford Heat between 2010 and 2012.

aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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