While working with the US National team in the early 2000s, David Quinn was named the 2003 USA Hockey Development Coach of the Year. (USA Hockey)
In that time he helped lead Team USA to first place finishes in three international tournaments. (USA Hockey)
While speaking with ESPN Radio after being hired, Quinn said that the key for him to get the best out of a player is to build a relationship and show that you care about them. (ESPN NY Radio)
Kevin Shattenkirk said that many of his teammates are looking forward to Quinn's ability as a "communicator." (NYR)
Quinn told SNY's Justine Ward that "communication, demanding and fair, those three things are pivotal in development, you can work out all the things you want but if they are not trusting what the coach is saying and they don't think you care about them, there isn't a lot of development going on. We will be demanding but we will be fair and there will be no gray area about where people stand and what is expected of them."
Quinn told Mike Francesa, "the only way you will have a chance to develop a player is with a trust factor and the more time you put in with him and the more time you put into him and he realizes that you care, that is where the trust comes in. You can do all the fancy drills that you want but if there isn't a connection between the coach and player you have a hard time developing. The kids want to know why and the communication pieces is so important." (WFAN)
In speaking about player development, Quinn said "at the end of the day it's all about relationships and you don't have a similar relationship with a 20-year old that you do with a 35-year old, I was fortunate to coach at the NHL level where I have dealt with guys that are older and with big contracts. For me it's all about people skills and what motivates somebody, that is something that as you go through coaching you learn those skills. One of the things I felt comfortable with in taking this job is that I have been fortunate to coach at the NHL level, the AHL level and all of those stops have prepared me to handle situations like that."