100 video games in rearview, Flames’ Quine continues quest to show he’s a full-timer NHLer

NASHVILLE — You couldn’t blame the man if he figured he had it made. Alan Quine had simply lived his childhood dream, logging his first look on the NHL degree. In a blink, the rookie ahead discovered himself skating on the New York Islanders’ high line … alongside a bonafide famous person and within the glare of the Stanley Cup playoff highlight, no much less.“My first sport was a call-up on the finish of the yr in New York,” Quine mentioned, reminiscing about that whirlwind stretch within the spring of 2016. “There was, I feel, two or three video games left within the season they usually had already clinched a playoff spot, so that they have been resting just a few guys. I’d had a fairly good season in Bridgeport, so it was type of a reward on the time. After which I scored in my first sport, on the penalty-kill. They despatched me again down on the finish of the season however introduced me up once more for the playoffs. “And I ended up taking part in straight away within the playoffs. That was a loopy couple of weeks, too. On the time, it was like, ‘Wow.’ I knew I may play, however abruptly … I didn’t anticipate to be within the playoffs, Sport 1, on (John) Tavares’ line. In order that was fairly cool.”Now employed by the Calgary Flames, Quine marked one other profession milestone in Tuesday’s 2-1 gut-punch from the Carolina Hurricanes, ascending to the 100-game plateau at hockey’s highest degree. (It could have been extra memorable if he had capitalized on a breakaway on his first shift of the night at PNC Area, or if his squad had not frittered away a third-period lead for the second straight contest.)Some guys are nonetheless of their teenagers after they hit triple digits in video games performed. That’s not the case for Quine, now 26 and persevering with his quest to show that he’s greater than a ’tweener — a kind of dudes who can dominate within the minors however has but to determine himself as an on a regular basis NHLer.“To have the ability to look again on it and say you’ve performed 100 video games on this league, I feel that’s an excellent little accomplishment,” Quine mentioned. “It’s a primary step for me, I assume. You clearly need to play a ton extra, but it surely’s fairly cool and I’m blissful about it.”The son of a pilot, Quine can be blissful if he may rack up just a few much less frequent-flyer factors this winter.In two seasons with the Flames, he has been up and down like a yo-yo, already shuffled 5 occasions between Calgary and Stockton, Calif., residence of the AHL’s Warmth.This may signify his finest alternative but.Recalled simply in time for the 2019 Heritage Basic at Mosaic Stadium, Quine was skating Tuesday alongside snakebitten centre Sean Monahan — now and not using a purpose in a dozen straight dates — and rugged winger Sam Bennett on what can be thought-about Calgary’s second line. After blowing leads in each Regina and Raleigh, the Flames return to motion for a Halloween howler in opposition to the Nashville Predators (6 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan). That is the time of yr for costume events, however Quine is aware of he can look the a part of NHLer on a full-time foundation. The lefty averaged 1.27 factors per sport in Stockton final winter and in addition tallied thrice in 13 showings with the massive membership. The Flames may use a tad extra offence from everyone not named Elias Lindholm, so his recipe to remain within the top-six is pretty easy.“This (alternative) comes at an excellent time, and hopefully I can show myself,” Quine mentioned. “I feel it’s nearly believing in your self. I do know each time that I’m going all the way down to the American League, I really feel like I’ve type of been-there, done-that. I’ve performed quite a bit in that league, so I really feel like I’m able to take that subsequent step. It’s simply a possibility factor, the place hopefully you will get it and begin operating with it. If that’s the case now, that might be nice.“The larger image is clearly at the back of your thoughts. You realize this chance means a ton. However on the identical time, you’ll be able to’t fear an excessive amount of about it. You simply need to play hockey and belief your self, belief your instincts, and let it occur.”[email protected]/WesGilbertson