‘Glad to be somewhere I’m wanted’: Jacob Quillan excited for new opportunity with Canucks

It’s been nearly two weeks since the Vancouver Canucks acquired Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Aatu Räty. Both of the new Canucks have made their debut in the Canucks organization, with Quillan playing in AHL Abbotsford and Buhr suiting up in ECHL Kalamazoo.

Buhr has played just a trio of games for the Kalamazoo Wings so far, picking up an assist in a 4-1 win on Sunday. Quillan, however, has stolen the show with the Abbotsford Canucks. He made his Abbotsford debut last weekend, finding the scoresheet in each game of their back-to-back set against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. These were his first two points of the season after going without one in his first four games with the Toronto Marlies.

The difference? Quillan’s been put in a prime position to succeed out of the gate in Abbotsford, starting on a line with Ty Mueller and Bennett Schimek. Quillan has seen special teams time and even got a shot in overtime. Quillan shared that he prides himself on being able to play in all situations, crediting his two linemates for his fast start to his Canucks career:

“They’re two great players,” Quillan told Daily Faceoff Vancouver. “I actually really enjoyed playing with them. Seems like we create a lot. They’re two hounds, play with a lot of speed, so it’s been fun.”

With Braeden Cootes injured, Quillan earned a promotion to centre the top line with Kole Lind and Trey Fix-Wolansky for Abbotsford’s set of games this weekend against the Calgary Wranglers. He picked up an assist in the first game, but really flashed the chemistry with his new linemates in Game 2, where he registered his first professional hat trick.

This performance brings his totals to four goals and six points through just four games with the Abbotsford Canucks. With him elevating his play and clearly unlocking something in his new situation, the former college captain may have the inside track on the first call-up if the big club faces injury trouble or starts moving players out.

After his third season with Quinnipiac in the NCAA in 2024, Quillan was one of the hottest commodities in the undrafted college free agent pool. He posted back-to-back seasons with intriguing scoring profiles: 19 goals and 38 points in 41 games in 2022-23, and an even better 17 goals and 46 points in 39 games in 2023-24.

Teams lined up to sign Quillan, but the Nova Scotia native chose to sign in Toronto. Fast forward two seasons, and with 107 AHL games and 24 NHL games under his belt, new Maple Leafs management clearly didn’t see Quillan in their plans moving forward, so they shipped him out West.

While getting moved from the team you chose may sting, Quillan is excited now to be somewhere he is wanted:

“Yeah, when I first got the call, I was pretty shocked,” Quillan admitted. “I really didn’t know how to process it. When I signed in Toronto initially, the management staff really wanted me. With the new management, there were a lot of changes; so many guys joined the team, and so many guys left. So it’s just part of the shrapnel, I guess. But I’m glad to be somewhere I’m wanted; it gives me a confidence boost for sure, so I’m really looking forward to my journey here.”

For those who haven’t gotten eyes on Quillan yet, here is how he described his style of play:

“I think I play with pace, speed, physicality and battle,” Quillan replied when asked what he wants Canucks fans to know about his game. “I don’t give up on pucks or anything like that. I play a 200-foot game. I help in the D-zone. I like the transition offensively. I feel like I can play PK; I feel like I can play power play. So honestly, whatever the team needs to win. I’m just here to help them win at all costs.”