Caledon's Quincey brings Stanley Cup to Orangeville
By Jon Yaneff

Detroit Red Wings defenceman Kyle Quincey hoists the Cup at the Alder Street Recreation Centre in Orangeville Saturday. Photo by Jon Yaneff

The Motor City has driven Caledon's Kyle Quincey to the Stanley Cup glory early in his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings.

The 22-year-old defenceman won the Cup, as the Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to two in the finals.

"It was a dream come true," explained Quincey, who didn't compete in the playoffs, but played six games this season for Detroit. "I never even played the final game and still my heart was racing and I was sweating like I played four periods. It was something special."

He played his formative minor hockey years in Orangeville and Saturday he shared his accomplishment at the Alder Street Recreation Centre in Orangeville.

Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams proclaimed June 28 as Kyle Quincey Day to honour his accomplishment. It is the first time the mayor has declared a day to honour a citizen in the community.

"Orangeville is a great hockey town," said Quincey, who played novice and minor atom in 1994 and'95 with the Orangeville Minor Hockey Association. "To bring the Cup back here and see all the smiling faces is just great. I hope all these people remember this."

He also played with the Halton Hurricanes AAA team then joined the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after being drafted in the third round of the OHL draft in 2002. In his three OHL seasons he had 103 points in 189 games for the Knights and the Mississauga Ice Dogs. The Wings drafted Quincey in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

His parents, Marty and Debbie, have supported him during his entire hockey career and were on the ice when the Wings won the Cup.

"We're very proud of him and he deserves it because of the dedication he's put toward his sport," said Debbie, whose other son Kevin, 19, is also a defenceman with the Walkerton Hawks of the Western Junior C Hockey League. "Every parents' dream is that their son or daughter will succeed, but it's up to the player to make a commitment and Kyle certainly has."

"All I had growing up was work ethic," said Quincey, who chose hockey over golf after breaking his hand playing for Team Ontario at the U-17 golf championships. "When your talent lacks, you got to work that much harder, then talent eventually comes with work."

In the past three seasons with Detroit's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, he has produced 75 points (16 goals and 59 assists) in 201 games. In 13 regular season NHL games, he has one goal. Though he didn't play a playoff game this season, he competed in 13 games during Detroit's playoff run last season when they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champs, the Anaheim Ducks, in the Western Conference finals.

The young Caledon (resident for six years) defenceman learns from Detroit's solid defence core with captain Nicklas Listrom, Niklas Kronwall, and veterans Brian Rafalski and Chris Chelios.

"I'm like a sponge, soaking up all the knowledge every day in the dressing room," he said.

Quincey is a restricted free agent and is currently negotiating a contract to stay in Detroit next season.

"I'm going to go to training camp and earn my spot," he stated. "That's my focus right now."

Kyle Quincey

Born: Aug 12, 1985 in Kitchener

Most influential coach: His Ice Dogs Head Coach Greg Gilbert, who is now the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Growing up, his father was a major influence.

Kyle's favourites

Favourite city to play in

I don't know, there's just too many to choose from.

Favourite thing about

Detroit

I love the rink (Joe Louis Arena), my teammates and the family setting.

Favourite team growing up

The Toronto Maple Leafs.