Quintin Laing

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


team= Hershey Bears
league= AHL
prospect_team=Washington Capitals
prospect_league = NHL
position = Left Wing
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 200
nickname =
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date and age|1979|7|8
birth_place = Harris, SK
draft = 102nd overall
draft_year = 1997
draft_team = Detroit Red Wings
career_start = 2004

Quintin Laing (born June 8, 1979 in Harris, Saskatchewan, is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals organization of the National Hockey League.

Laing has spent a great deal of time playing minor league hockey, but has stood out to his team and fans alike as a player with great work ethic and commitment to the game.

Laing made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2003-2004 season, but only skated in three games. However, during the 2007-2008 season, Laing was called up to replace the injured Boyd Gordon because of his penalty killing abilities. On his way to the airport, Laing made a promise to himself: play each shift as if it were his last. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401960.html] Laing made an immediate impact on the team, and his outstanding effort was rewarded as he remained on the team after Gordon returned from his injury.

Laing scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, on December 10, 2007, against Kevin Weekes of the New Jersey Devils, however he well known for his shot blocking skills, and led the NHL in blocked shots per game for a large portion of the season. Opponents scored fewer goals and took fewer shots per sixty minutes of ice time when Laing was on the ice than any other Capital [http://japersrink.blogspot.com/2008/05/2007-08-rink-wrap-quintin-laing.html] . Laing is the Masterton Trophy nominee from the Capitals for the 2007-2008 season, which is awarded to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey [http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=356820] .

His teammates have offered glowing reviews of his dedication to the game: "He's a heart-and-soul guy," Capitals winger Brooks Laich said of Laing. "He lays his body out there, relentlessly and religiously in front of pucks. He does the little things that help you win." Goalie Brent Johnson added: "He's an old-time hockey player. People want to see scoring, but as a goaltender you appreciate guys like him. He went down and blocked a shot with his chest. I went up to him afterward, and said, 'Seriously, you keep that up and you're going to be here.'" [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401960.html]

On October 6, 2008, Laing was put on waivers and sent to the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals AHL affiliate, as the Capitals were simply too deep at forward. Capitals coach, Bruce Boudreau said that it was one of toughest cuts he had ever had to make because, "Quintin was so proud to be a Washington Capital." [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2008/10/boudreau_talks_about_the_cuts.html#comments]

External links

*hockeydb|29161