David Quinn Named New York Rangers Head Coach

Boston’s David Quinn has been named head coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers, according to reports.

Speculation began on Saturday, when the Boston University coach was spotted in New York. Then, EPSN’s John Buccigross tweeted details of a rumored five-year, $12 million contract with the Rangers.

On Saturday, Quinn was seen with BU officials, and the word was that an announcement would be made early in the week. The New York Rangers have a Boston connection through Jeff Gorton, their general manager. Gorton was previously an assistant GM at the Boston Bruins.

According to Buccigross, Quinn informed BU athletic director Drew Marrochello of his decision to take the job.

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It seems as though a new head coach had been in the works at the New York Rangers for some time. Jeff Gorton dismissed his coaching staff, including veteran coach Alain Vigneault in April. The decision came hours after the Rangers’ 34-39-9 regular season had finished without a playoff spot.

Over the course of these events, Gorton was in Denmark as part of the USA Hockey management team at the IIHF World Championship. He returned to Manhattan on Monday.

David Quinn, who is 51, completed his 5th season as Boston University head coach in April. He was the successor to the legendary Jack Parker. As Terriers coach, David Quinn compiled a record of 105-68-21.

He is a former first-round draft pick, who had his NHL career cut short by injury while he was still playing at BU.

In June of 1987, he sprained his ankle during a pick-up basketball game. This lead to an over complication which kept him in hospital for five weeks. He made a comeback in the American Hockey League, before turning to coaching 6 years later. He began his coaching career as an assistant to Ben Smith at Northeastern.