Lightning Interested in Signing Quick
Lightning General Manager Jay Feaster released the following statement on the Kevin Quick situation:
We have shared with his family adviser our thoughts on what is best for both Kevin's hockey career in light of the options that are available to him as well as for his own personal development and well-being.
Quick, a freshman defenseman with the University of Michigan and a Lightning draftee, was dismissed from the Wolverines yesterday after "violating team rules and trust."
Prior to Kevin choosing to return to Salisbury Prep after his draft year, the Lightning put the full-court press on him, encouraging him to go the Major Junior route with his development (Both Kevin and his younger brother, Kyle, have their rights held by the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting). Kevin eventually returned to Salisbury for a year before choosing to play collegiately at Michigan.
Green Bay of the USHL drafted Kevin in 2006, but released him after Quick decided to return to Prep school.
With Quick's developmental path again at a crossroads, Feaster told BoltProspects, "We will be doing the same kind of lobbying in this case and, yes, we are interested in signing him."
Kyle Okposo, who is 19 like Quick, recently left the University of Minnesota on his own terms to join the New York Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
Quick could be signed and end up in the AHL with Norfolk, or he could go to Major Junior and play with the likely top 2008 NHL draft choice Steven Stamkos in Sarnia.
ATO?
Would they sign him to an ATO in Norfolk for the rest of the year and then try to get an NHL deal worked out in the summer?
ATO
What happened at Michigan? Is it related to any character or integrity issues? Hopefully not. Will Jay try and get him to Norfolk now?
Too young?
Isn't he too young to play in the AHL this year? Either way, I don't think he's anywhere near ready to play pro hockey and needs to go play in Sarnia for a couple years.
Not too young
The 20 year old rule applies to kids coming from the CHL.
He needs to play, and if an ATO in NF is the only way - then give it to him and rotate him in and out of the lineup.