Alan Quine: A Guy You Should Know

OHL fans know all about Alan Quine (pronounced Qwyne)- the smallish, but highly skilled playmaker who was the main piece in the deal that brought Bruins prospect Ryan Spooner to Kingston.

Quine was a highly-regarded minor midget player drafted by Kingston a couple of years ago and he had a solid rookie year for the Frontenacs as an offensive savant with terrific hands, vision, touch and overall skill. He's a good skater who has all the offensive tools to be a steady producer at the highest level, even if he had an off-year where he didn't meet expectations.

Although under 6-feet and on the light side, he is quick and elusive- two traits that a player of his disposition must possess. He played well for Team Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka in August, winning the gold medal.

The wheels fell off Quine's season when he got off to a real slow start, and although he was moved to Peterborough for Spooner in November and picked up the production, he never really put up the kind of points expected of him and as a result, fell off the map a bit.

It's interesting that the Petes picked up Quine in the deal, because when Spooner asked out, one of the things coached Mike Pelino blasted him about was his lack of defensive play. Quine is more along the lines of Spooner when it comes to being defensively responsible and aware in his own end. He's all go in the offensive zone, but the lack of physicality hurts him.

On paper, Quine doesn't appear to be someone who would appeal to the Bruins, but that's because his stock is down. He has the potential to be an excellent value pick if he falls down in the draft low enough, and if he happens to be on the board in the third round when the Bruins pick 80th, he meets the definition of a bargain there.

Of course, we might be biased. B2011DW participated in a mock draft a few months back and nabbed Quine in the third- he could end up going higher because teams are sold on his upside. He was 62nd on THN's top-100 for their draft preview and Red Line has him 79th in their May rankings.

He might not present any interest to Boston. Then again, knowing their philosophy and how they tend to draft, he could very well be a legitimate target. Guys with the speed, sense and hands like Quine are worth taking a gamble on, because if he gets it together, he could be a very good pro down the road.