Jackets prospect Peter Quenneville couples hockey smarts with skill
Hockey is a game that is played using skates, sticks and pucks, but often it's the tools you don't see that can make a difference. For Blue Jackets prospect Peter Quenneville, one of the best tools he brings to his game is his hockey intelligence.
"Peter has a great hockey mind," said Jackets development coach Chris Clark. "The way he breaks down a game shows he's a smart hockey player."
Quenneville's name is a recognizable one in the hockey world -- he currently plays with his brother John Quenneville, is the second cousin of Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup winning coach, Joel Quenneville and he is related to Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk by marriage.
However, Clark says that Peter's hockey knowledge is something that's not inherited.
"It's just who he is," Clark said. "He knows exactly why he does something and exactly what he was thinking on every play."
Quenneville, who was drafted with the Blue Jackets' 195th pick in 2013, values his ability to break down a game. He believes it's a skill he's always had.
"Being a cerebral player has always been part of my game," Quenneville said. "As a hockey player, you want to be playing instinctually and naturally, but my smarts have really helped me."
Thinking the game was a benefit to Quenneville's play last season. After leaving Quinnipiac University to join the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, Quenneville went 21-31-52 in 44 regular season games and 1-3-4 in eight playoff games while battling ankle injuries.
"I was forced to really think out there because I wasn't able to skate as fast as I usually would," Quenneville said. "(Thinking the game) definitely came in handy and allowed me to contribute while being injured for most of the games."
That's not to say analysis doesn't have its drawbacks. Quenneville jokes about the disadvantages of being "Pete the player" and "Pete the coach."
"I've had my struggles with that -- sometimes 'Pete the coach' takes over," Quenneville said. "This year I'm doing my best to just be 'Pete the player' and focus on myself and do what I have to do and not let that over analysis take over."
Quenneville does admit that he will bring back that coaching mindset someday. His long term goal is to join a coaching staff after his playing days are over.
"Since I was 12 or 13, I've always wanted to be a coach," Quenneville said. "I want to play as long as I can but I know for sure I'll get into coaching down the road."
For now, Quenneville is focused on playing. He is taking part in his second Blue Jackets development camp this summer. He feels more confident and credits the camp with helping him understand what it will take to make the NHL.
"I feel more comfortable this year being in an NHL rink and being around a lot of high-end players," Quenneville said.
Next up for Quenneville is another season with the Wheat Kings, a team that counts Blue Jackets forward Matt Calvert among its alumni.
"Another year there will be good for me," Quenneville said. "We're going to have a really strong team coming up."
The Blue Jackets development camp continues Thursday at the Ohio Health Ice Haus. For more information on the on-ice schedule and list of players in attendance visit http://bit.ly/cbjdevcamp2014
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