The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a big splash in the college free-agent market.
The team has signed Jacob Quillan out of Quinnipiac University to a two-year entry-level contract, carrying an AAV of $875K. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native was one of the premier college players on the market after Quinnipiac was eliminated from the National Championship this past weekend. Quillan will join the Toronto Marlies on an ATO for the rest of the season.
There were reportedly a number of teams that were vying for Quillan’s services, meaning this is a clear win for Brad Treliving and company.
Quillan’s Player Profile
Quillan’s scouting reports describe him as a 200-foot player who projects to be a middle to bottom-six forward. Most scouts highlight that he plays the right way and can play up and down the lineup when needed.
The 22-year-old center has played a key role on Quinnipiac’s team, including a run to the National Championship last season. Here is what his stats over his college career have looked like:
| Season | GP | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 36 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 10 |
| 2022-23 | 41 | 19 | 19 | 38 | 12 | 37 |
| 2023-24 | 39 | 17 | 29 | 46 | 16 | 17 |
As time passed, Quillan has improved his numbers each season, with this season being a college career high in terms of assists and points. During their championship season, Quillan put up seven points during the tournament including four points in two games in the Frozen Four.
It also helps that he scored the OT winner to win the title.
Although the focus is on the postseason, this is a great move for the team’s young depth moving forward. It’s up to Quillan to see if he finds his place in the NHL long-term.
