Pat Quinn, a two-time Jack Adams Award winner and the coach who led Team Canada to a historic gold medal at the 2002 Olympics, passed away on Sunday night after a long illness. He was 71.
Naturally, the hockey world flocked to social media to share its grief. There were many expressions of condolence, but we think this is the way Pat would have liked it. Happy memories, not the mushy stuff.
One of my fav. Pat Quinn moments was him in tears on our bench after winning gold in Salt Lake 02.He said women inspired the men. #patsbench
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) November 24, 2014
Pat Quinn was a giant of the hockey world, on the ice and off. Laureen and I extend our condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/2tKpCsDBC6
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) November 24, 2014
To this day I still associate the smell of cigars with Mr Quinn. He used to give me all his old cigar boxes to keep hockey cards in them.
— Patrick Burke (@BurkieYCP) November 24, 2014
According to my mother, after Canucks games I would run into Mr Quinn's office and sit on his lap while we did "Where's Waldo" books.
— Patrick Burke (@BurkieYCP) November 24, 2014
Pat Quinn made such an impact on me and our group at the '09 World Juniors. I'll never forget the presence he had #RIPQuinner
— John Tavares (@91Tavares) November 24, 2014
My prayers are with Pat Quinn's family. He was tough, smart, kind, and Irish, the hockey world will miss him deeply: pic.twitter.com/dSVjVsziR9
— Brian Burke (@Burkie2020) November 24, 2014
Pretty sure Pat Quinn holds the record for most money spent on gum during an NHL season #RIPPatQuinn
— Brad Kelly (@B_kells) November 24, 2014
I was skating full speed in practice once and ran into Pat who was looking the other direction knocked me right on my ass #brickwallofaman
— Darcy Tucker (@16DarcyTucker) November 24, 2014
Homer on Pat Quinn: "Most of us wld have done whatever he asked us to do. Run through that wall? Sure. How many bricks do u want left over?"
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) November 24, 2014
If you're going to look up to anyone in the hockey world Pat Quinn would be one of your first choices. pic.twitter.com/wSa8ZEtZ1B
— Aaron Elliott (@A_Elliott_) November 24, 2014
Fantastic Pat Quinn quote on coaching (and teaching, leadership): "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
— Risto Pakarinen (@puckarinen) November 24, 2014
