In addition to not paying enough attention to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers except in extreme cases, we here at the Lighthouse Hockey Research Center and Prospectential Library are also often remiss in highlighting the performances of Islanders junior prospects, especially those from the most far-flung reaches of the hockey world (and those who don’t have a ton of gif makers and video people following them).
One of those that qualify is David Quenneville, a 2015 draft pick from the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers, who has been among the WHL’s highest scoring defensemen all season. He has 20 goals and 28 assists and also leads all players in power play goals with 14. Although listed at only 5’-8”, Quenneville has always been known as an offensive force from the blueline. He’s also Johnny Boychuk’s nephew and Joel Quenneville’s cousin, which sounds like fun.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’s out 4-6 weeks with a broken leg.
He blocked a shot in the Tigers’ loss to Regina on Tuesday and fractured his tibia, putting a phenomenal season on hold.
“He’s a great puck-mover, he’s got an unbelievable one-time shot, he’s a big part of our power play success and a great energy guy. He’s a very enthusiastic person, so not only do we miss his talent on the ice but we miss an energizer, a guy who makes it fun to come to the rink,” said [Tigers coach Shaun] Clouston. “He plays with a lot of passion, he’s a very vocal player in the dressing room and on the bench, so that’s going to be just as big of a hole to fill as his skill.”
After getting hurt, Quenneville stayed on the ice and played to the whistle before leaving for the locker room. That’s dedication.
If there’s a silver lining (because we’re all about positivity here), it’s that Quenneville should be back in time for the WHL playoffs. The Tigers currently lead the Central Division with a 27-12-1 record, so all they’ll need to do is hang on for a while. He’ll also have a full off-season for training and another appearance at Islanders rookie camp.
Tough break, kid. Get better and get back to doing what you do.