NHL News

Quillan’s Maple Leafs’ Debut Was a Whole Family’s Moment

Jacob Quillan’s Toronto Maple Leafs debut last night was more than his first game. It was his entire family’s moment to remember.

by
Old Prof
January 26, 2025

Saturday night’s game was more than Jacob Quillan‘s NHL debut. It was the entire family’s event. When Jacob stepped onto NHL ice for his first shift with the Toronto Maple Leafs, his family was there with him. They had supported him from his first childhood skating strides to this acme of achievement. He was playing in the NHL – a dream every young skater has had since first lacing up the skates. Although Quillan didn’t get much ice time, the experience was unforgettable.

More than 15 family members and friends came to the game to witness the occasion, including Quillan’s mother, who was interviewed during the game. “His brother flew in from New York City and just arrived in time,” she said. The entire family wouldn’t have missed this for the world. For them, the journey has been unbelievable. They’ve watched their son, brother, and family member grow, and seeing him taking NHL shifts was a dream come true. When asked, they spoke first about their pride in his hard work to get here.

Quillan’s First Game Wasn’t Without Drama

Quillan’s path to the NHL has been anything but conventional. After going undrafted in his initial eligibility years, he worked through the NCAA ranks. In a standout season at Quinnipiac University, he scored the overtime goal to win the national championship. His NCAA experience helped him define his career and earn him a chance with the Maple Leafs.

Although Quillan skated for just over five minutes because of the game score (5:21, to be exact), he didn’t look lost on the ice. His shifts were solid. Head coach Craig Berube praised his play after the game: “He was fine. It is a tough game for him to play. It got tight, so I didn’t give him a lot down the stretch, but for me, he was fine.”

However, the debut wasn’t without drama. In the second period, Quillan was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Ottawa’s Nick Cousins while carrying the puck through the neutral zone. The incident sent both players to the ice in visible pain. However, fortunately for his Mom, Quillan was able to recover and return to action. Cousins initiated the contact and left the game. He did not return.

While watching from the stands, Quillan’s family held their breath during the collision but later expressed relief in his return to the game. For his parents, it had to be exciting to see their son out there, knowing how much this moment meant to him, and then scary to watch him take a hit like that. Fortunately, Quillan shook it off and returned to the ice.

The Quillan Family’s Dream Was Realized with His Maple Leafs Debut

For the Quillans, this night was the realization of a dream years in the making. If his life in Nova Scotia was like so many other young hockey players, his mother must have reflected on the happy sacrifices made over the years. These included early morning practices, long drives to games, and endless encouragement. They had to recall when Jacob first started skating as a little boy, and now there they were, watching him live his dream on NHL ice.

Quillan’s journey from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to the NHL reflects the commitment of a family’s unwavering support. Let’s hope the youngster gets a chance to get more games. If he makes it – or if this is the only NHL game he plays – his debut game is a moment they’ll treasure forever.

While Quillan’s future with the Maple Leafs remains to be lived, Saturday’s debut proves he made it. All the work, practice, and games he’s played carried him onto the Ottawa ice last night. The Quillan family – en masse – have to hope that his journey is just beginning.