Quintin Laing

Quintin Laing (born June 8, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who last played in the GET-ligaen. His father, Bill Laing is also a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the World Hockey Association (WHA).

Career Originally a draft choice of the Detroit Red Wings, Laing made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2003-2004 season, but only skated in three games. Laing has spent a great deal of time playing minor league hockey, most recently with the Hershey Bears, but has stood out to his team and fans alike as a player with great work ethic and commitment to the game. In the early 2010 season he was signed by the Abbotsford Heat, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames.

Washington Capitals During the 2007-2008 season, Laing was called up to replace the injured Boyd Gordon because of his penalty killing abilities. On his way to the airport, Laing made a promise to himself: play each shift as if it were his last. Laing made an immediate impact on the team, and his outstanding effort was rewarded as he remained on the team after Gordon returned from his injury.

Laing scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, on December 10, 2007, against Kevin Weekes of the New Jersey Devils, however he was most well known for his shot blocking skills, and led the NHL in blocked shots per game for a large portion of the season. Opponents scored fewer goals and took fewer shots per sixty minutes of ice time when Laing was on the ice than any other Capital. Laing is the Masterton Trophy nominee from the Capitals for the 2007-2008 season, which is awarded to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

His teammates have offered glowing reviews of his dedication to the game: "He's a heart-and-soul guy," Capitals winger Brooks Laich said of Laing. "He lays his body out there, relentlessly and religiously in front of pucks. He does the little things that help you win." Goalie Brent Johnson added: "He's an old-time hockey player. People want to see scoring, but as a goaltender you appreciate guys like him. He went down and blocked a shot with his chest. I went up to him afterward, and said, 'Seriously, you keep that up and you're going to be here.'"

Laing was injured while playing with the Bears during the 2008-2009 season. After recovering, he was almost immediately called up to the Capitals due to multiple injuries in Washington's forward corps. His first NHL game of the year, against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 19, 2009, resulted in an assist and a blocked shot in 10 minutes of ice time. However, after the game he began complaining of abdominal pain and the Capitals' trainer realized that he had a serious injury. He was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that he had torn his spleen. He was placed in intensive care and immediately ruled out for the remainder of the season. However, Laing returned for Hershey in game 3 of the AHL Eastern Conference finals.

Laing was the third NHL player to be diagnosed with swine flu within the same week. Capitals spokesman Nate Ewell reported that Laing was being treated for H1N1 while being kept well away from his fellow Capitals players. Laing sat out the next few games until he was well enough to return on Sunday, November 1. Laing scored his first goal of the season the night of his return.

In a November 17, 2009 tilt against the New York Rangers at [MSG], Laing, while sprawling on the ice to block a passing lane, suffered a broken jaw after a slapshot caught his face. He was placed on the long-term IR the next day and was expected to miss upwards of 6–8 weeks.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1996–97 Kelowna Rockets WHL 6313243754 10000 1997–98 Kelowna Rockets WHL 5911243547 70118 1998–99 Kelowna Rockets WHL 70111021107 63030 1999–00 Kelowna Rockets WHL 6822305261 51128 2000–01 Jackson Bandits ECHL 6013243739 50000 2000–01 Norfolk Admirals AHL 1001110 ––––– 2001–02 Jackson Bandits ECHL 6013243739 50000 2001–02 Norfolk Admirals AHL 616152132 40002 2002–03 Norfolk Admirals AHL 695121733 82240 2003–04 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 30110 ––––– 2003–04 Norfolk Admirals AHL 7812102274 85164 2004–05 Norfolk Admirals AHL 6610132354 40000 2005–06 Norfolk Admirals AHL 7314314570 40000 2006–07 Hershey Bears AHL 7515284344 1925721 2007–08 Washington Capitals NHL 3915610 ––––– 2007–08 Hershey Bears AHL 2026828 ––––– 2008–09 Washington Capitals NHL 10000 ––––– 2008–09 Hershey Bears AHL 559162521 92240 2008–09 Washington Capitals NHL 10000 ––––– 2009–10 Washington Capitals NHL 3622421 ––––– 2009–10 Hershey Bears AHL 20000 ––––– 2010–11 Victoria Salmon Kings ECHL 40110 ––––– 2010–11 Abbotsford Heat AHL 597192640 ––––– 2011–12 Abbotsford Heat AHL 5811112231 10000 2012–13 Abbotsford Heat AHL 636101645 ––––– 2013–14 Sparta Warriors Norway 28212144 51232 NHL totals 79 3 8 11 31 – – – – –