Quintal Retires

[Gogie]

As reported on TSN:

Blueliner Quintal retires after 16 seasons

TSN.ca Staff

8/22/2005 11:42:10 AM

The new-look Los Angeles Kings will not include defenceman Stephane Quintal, as the 16-year NHL veteran has announced his retirement from hockey.

www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=134236

[Doc Holliday]

...so Montreal will be the last NHL team he played for. I like that. Q was a good player, has a heart big like that and a guy that would always tell it like it is when others were nowhere to be found.

Thanks for many great years Q.

[clear observer]

docholliday said:

...so Montreal will be the last NHL team he played for. I like that. Q was a good player, has a heart big like that and a guy that would always tell it like it is when others were nowhere to be found.

Thanks for many great years Q.

I second that!

[Habit]

He will be proud to wear the CH for the Habs alumni!!

[Vinna]

I agree completely. I still remember one of Quintals first games against the Flyers when Squishy head Lindros was taking liberties against Saku who was just a rookie at the time. Quintal stepped up and took on Lindros. He ended up getting kicked out because he had an injured hand taped up, but he was still willing to do what it took to defend his smaller team mate. Thanks for the memories Stephane.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Some previous ramblings in praise of Q:

mrbozo said:

Disp said:

Probably no worse than a lot of other players, a quick addition and it looks like the teams Q played for averaged about 82 points.

Now in his 15th season, the clubs Quintal has played on have a cumulative record of one point over .500. That includes the three powerful Boston teams he started his career with. They finished a total of 49 points over .500.

Cumulative goal differential for teams Q has played on is -87. That includes a +125 differential for the three aforementioned Bruins teams.

Of Quintal's career -95 ranking, -48 of it came in two of his 15 seasons; -25 with the 1993-94 Winnipeg team, and -23 with the 1998-99 Habs.

He's an average NHL defenseman who seems to want to finish his carrer on a relative high note. Rock on Stéphane.

mrbozo said:

Disp said:

A contradictory, "oxyquintalic" statement. Since he is where he appears to be it is hardly surprising.

Pro quintal, pro quo. Q has maintained a positive charge by virtue of being where he appears to be. Many Habs have been negatively charged for not being where they have been expected to be.

mrbozo said:

BadCompany said:

Quantum physics would say that since our concept of time is mis-understood, and that the past, present and future all exist at the same “time”, he wouldn’t have to cross the rink, for he is already at the other side.

Ah, Julien's system must fully take advantage of this phenomenon. How else can Q lead the team in +/- while appearing to stand still?

mrbozo said:

Quintal is stunning, living proof that if you apply yourself to Julien's system it will be a benficial thing. It's the only way I can explain his team leading +/-. He is leading by the xample of hard work, certainly not coasting on talent or potential.

Thank you for loyal and steadfast service—and for coming to your teammates' defense when no-one else would. Enjoy the richness of life in the heart of your family.

[clear observer]

vinna said:

I agree completely. I still remember one of Quintals first games against the Flyers when Squishy head Lindros was taking liberties against Saku who was just a rookie at the time. Quintal stepped up and took on Lindros. He ended up getting kicked out because he had an injured hand taped up, but he was still willing to do what it took to defend his smaller team mate. Thanks for the memories Stephane.

Yep...unlike a certain #43 who, with shoulders shrugged, stood-by staring at a nearly decapitated Zednik as Kyle McLaren quietly coasted back to his bench, untouched.

I'll NEVER forget that.

[blny]

Best wishes for his post playing career. Q is a great guy and was great to have on the team.

[duster]

I wish him luck. Taking a substantial paycut so he could return to Montreal was a classy move.

If memory serves me, he owns a few "Subway" restaurants on the South Shore that are run by his family. That should keep him busy.

[franko]

Retiring with his head held high.

[Forum Ghost]

Q was a warrior for the Habs. Plain and simple. He bled for the jersey and that's rare to see in today's athlete. Was always willing to stand up for his mates no matter how nasty the opposing player was.

I wish him all the best in his retired life.