Chicago Wolves center Gage Quinney has played a large part in the Wolves’ offense, contributing with linemates Daniel Carr and Brooks Macek toward Chicago’s 163 goals that lead the Central Division in scoring.
In his second AHL season, the 23-year-old has already put up 13 goals and 15 assists for the Wolves in addition to a +25 plus/minus rating that ranks second in the league behind only Carr. He is closing in on his career numbers, scoring 14 goals and 19 assists in 57 games last season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
A Las Vegas native, Quinney was born in the middle of his father Ken’s five seasons with the IHL’s Las Vegas Thunder. Prior to his time in Vegas, Ken spent eight seasons in the AHL and NHL, notching 435 points in 453 career AHL games, capped with winning the Calder Cup in 91-92 with the Adirondack Red Wings.
The younger Quinney recently played in his 100th AHL game, tallying a goal and an assist last week in a 5-2 win over Manitoba. We caught up with him before the Wolves head to Milwaukee on Saturday seeking to improve their 14-7-1-0 record on the road.
But first, here’s a highlight from the Wolves’ last visit to Milwaukee on Dec. 26 (a 4-1 win).
Q: You guys are headed out on a four-game road trip, the longest so far this season, but the team is playing pretty well on the road. Why do you think that is?
A: I think it’s because we simplify our game. Instead of making the extra play, we either dump it in or make the safe play every time instead of overthinking it.
Q: Do you have a different routine on the road?
A: No, I’m not really superstitious at all. I just see how my day is going, and that’s how it goes.
Q: Do you have a favorite road trip?
A: This division is all new to me, but Manitoba is fun. Definitely the Texas trip, being in the heat is nice for a bit.
Q: You played in your 100th AHL game last week. How do you think your game has changed since your first?
A: I think it’s just the more games you play, the more comfortable you get. You start hanging on to the puck a bit longer; you know the plays you have to make. It’s just being more comfortable on the ice as the games go on.
