Photo credit: Contributed

By Regan Bartel

Rockets alumni's son eying NHL draft

Like father, like son: Quintin Laing hopes teenager can realize his NHL dream

Feb 28, 2024 | 8:00 AM

Some would describe it as a pinch me I am dreaming moment.

For Kelowna Rockets Assistant Coach Quintin Laing, it has to be fulfilling to be watching his son, Hunter, playing full-time this season with the Prince George Cougars.

Laing, who turned heads as a member of the Kelowna Rockets as a player in the late 90s, is witnessing his 17-year-old offspring make an impact in the same league he cut his teeth in.

“It is a little bit of getting used to it when you see him on the other team,” he admitted to RocketFAN last week when the Cougars rolled into town. “It is cool to be on the ice level watching him play and watching him go against our team. I know he enjoys it. He has a job to do. I have a job to do, but it is neat to see him up that close and personal. I feel like I have the best seat in the house to watch my kid play in this league.”

Hunter, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, plays further down the depth chart on a Cougars team that has already claimed the BC Division regular season title with 40 victories and is projected to go on a long playoff run this spring.

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“He has shown a lot of improvement from the start of the year,” Laing said. “He has worked hard. He has his role on that team. He is having a lot of fun out there.”

Hunter, who stands a whopping six-foot-six, had a cup of coffee with the Cougars, twice, playing in five games as an affiliated player at 15 after being selected in the second round, 33^rd overall in 2021. Then as a 16-year-old last season, with the organization in no hurry to rush him, the big-body forward played in three games including joining the team for the playoffs.

“Looking back at it now, it was probably best for him to return to U18 (RINK Academy Kelowna) and have a bit more of an offensive role on that team and get more confidence,” Laing added. “I know at the time he was disappointed not to make that team, as that’s the goal, and even as parents you are a little disappointed, but credit Mark Lamb [Cougars GM/Head Coach] for seeing that and knowing it was better for his development.”

Lamb is like a good chef. He likes to marinate, not wanting to rush young players. Another good example is Cougars rookie sensation Terik Parascak, who is lighting it up in his first season in the WHL with 85 points after playing as a 16-year-old at a lower level.

“What I like about [Hunter] his game is he thinks it well,” Laing asked to evaluate his sons game. “He makes plays with the puck. He doesn’t panic with it. Coming out of his zone, he makes the right play. His release [shot] is really good and he uses his long stick to his advantage.”

Draft eligible this summer, RocketFAN had to ask Laing to compare Hunter to himself at that same age, when the now 44-year-old was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1997 NHL draft.

“He has a lot better hands,” he said with a chuckle. “I wasn’t the guy that was going to score the nice goal. He has a nice set of mitts on him, but I think we think the game the same way. We anticipate plays the same, and we both love the game. He has a passion for the game, and I remember having a passion for the game when I played.”

While critiquing his son’s play, you must wonder if Hunter listens to his old man’s advice, considering Quintin Laing played with both the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals.

“We don’t get into too much detail on his game,” Quintin Laing added. “Going with him through his draft year and being ranked, meeting with teams, and going through questionnaires, I can help with that. I can prepare him for what teams are looking for and make sure he is doing what he needs to do every single game because eyes are always on you.”

You can bet the Laing family will have a holiday planned this summer in Las Vegas, Nevada, the site of this year’s NHL draft, with Hunter rated 108^th by NHL Central Scouting in their mid-term rankings.

“You have to come to play every single game,” the elder Laing stated. “When you are practicing, you have to put in the work because scouts ask about that. You have to bring your ‘A’ game all the time.”

Not if, but when Hunter hears his name called in Las Vegas, he will make his father the first Kelowna Rockets alumni to have his child drafted by an NHL team.

“Bring the Kleenex out”, Laing said with a grin about feeling emotional when draft day arrives.

“As long as he is having fun and getting better, that is the main thing. If it happens [gets drafted] it happens, but it would be cool.”