McQuaid looks to reward Bruins' faith with leadership
Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid will enter training camp this season with an extra spring in his step considering he now has a new four-year contract keeping him in the city for the foreseeable future. But McQuaid does not plan to take it easy now that he knows where he will be living.
McQuaid's deal came on the heels of the team's shocking trade of Dougie Hamilton, who was regarded by many as the defenseman of the future for Boston. While McQuaid said he was surprised by the Bruins' summer moves, he noted that he understands the underlying message the team is sending to him.
"They're putting faith in me, and I want to reward that faith," McQuaid said to the team website. "I didn't foresee things happening the way they did, but obviously, I'm very excited to be back. It's an organization that has done a lot for me, and I want to continue to win here."
The 6-foot-5 blue-liner has spent his entire six-year career in Boston, but a multitude of injuries have kept McQuaid from ever playing a complete season. McQuaid missed 19 games last season and posted one goal and six assists in 63 games. Although he plays the role of a stay-at-home defenseman for the B's, he told the Bruins website he hopes to step up this season as a leader.
"I've been here for a little while now, and I do want to take that next step," McQuaid said to the team website. "I want to try and bring more to the table, hopefully play a little bit more in a top-four role, but at the end of the day, it's all about what works within the team and the system, and whatever brings success."
(h/t NHL)
