Stephane Quintal is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 16 seasons. He was born on October 22, 1968, in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Quintal began his hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Granby Bisons in 1985. He played for the Bisons for three seasons before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
Quintal made his NHL debut with the Bruins in the 1988-89 season and played for them for two seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1991. He played for the Blues for three seasons before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1994. Quintal played for the Jets for one season before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1995.
Quintal played for the Canadiens for four seasons and was a key member of their defense. He was known for his physical play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players. In 1999, Quintal was traded to the New York Rangers, where he played for two seasons before being traded back to the Canadiens in 2001.
Quintal played for the Canadiens for two more seasons before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003. He played for the Blackhawks for one season before retiring from the NHL in 2004. Quintal played in a total of 1037 NHL games, scoring 63 goals and 180 assists for a total of 243 points. He also had 1321 penalty minutes.
After retiring from the NHL, Quintal became involved in the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA). He served as the NHLPA's Director of Player Safety from 2014 to 2016, where he was responsible for player discipline and safety issues. In 2016, Quintal left the NHLPA to become the NHL's Senior Vice President of Player Safety.
Throughout his career, Quintal was known for his physical play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players. He was a reliable defenseman who could play in all situations and was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. Quintal was also known for his leadership and was often a captain or alternate captain on his teams.
In conclusion, Stephane Quintal had a successful career in the NHL, playing for over 16 seasons and earning the respect of his peers. He was a reliable defenseman who could play in all situations and was known for his physical play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players. After retiring from the NHL, Quintal became involved in the NHLPA and later became the NHL's Senior Vice President of Player Safety.
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