Halifax Mooseheads forward Quinn Kennedy tries to keep the puck away from Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Dylan MacKinnon during a Nov. 9 QMJHL game at the Scotiabank Centre. – SUPPLIED BY TREVOR MACMILLANArticle contentThere isn’t much Quinn Kennedy doesn’t do for the Halifax Mooseheads.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentHe scores, sets up teammates, wins key face-offs, takes care of his defensive responsibilities and isn’t afraid to get in someone’s face, when necessary. But if there’s one area where he really stands out it’s as a leader.Article contentArticle contentThe fourth-year forward is one of just four 19-year-old regulars on a team that only has one overager, plus he’s an assistant captain. Close friend Owen Phillips is the team’s captain and the two of them have more experience than any of their teammates, by far. They work together to show the team’s many rookies and sophomores the way as the Mooseheads try to level up from a promising young team to a bona fide contender.Article contentArticle content“I think each year I’ve always gone into it with high confidence that I can be a top player,” said Kennedy, who has played in 204 career QMJHL games. “I think that’s something you need if you want to be at your best. So I think going into this year, obviously I knew we were still going to be a young team so it was up to me and the other veteran guys on the team to have bigger roles.Article content“I’m just trying to help all the young guys out, lead by example and lead vocally in the dressing room. I’m excited by the opportunity and looking forward to doing as much as I can with that the rest of the year.”Article contentKennedy was drafted ninth overall by the Rimouski Oceanic in 2022, two spots after Phillips. They both grew up in the Upper Tantallon-Hammonds Plains area and played several years of minor hockey together.Article contentThey were reunited as teammates last December when the Mooseheads acquired Kennedy and a second-round pick from the Oceanic for forward Lou Levesque and defenceman Jack Martin. The trade also gave Kennedy the chance to play for the organization that has employed his father for more than two decades. Travis Kennedy is the Mooseheads’ senior vice-president of business operations.Article contentArticle content A young Quinn Kennedy, right, celebrates during a Timbits game during the intermission of a Halifax Mooseheads game at the Scotiabank Centre. – SUPPLIED BY TRAVIS KENNEDYArticle content“It’s been great being home,” said Quinn, who has 12 goals so far this season. “Obviously, I didn’t have to drive anywhere for training camp or go away from home or anything like that this year, so it’s kind of easy in a sense where I just get to stay home and be settled in with my family.Article content“I’ve been back home for a while now so I’m used to going to the rink like usual and having a routine here. I think it was a fairly easy transition for me and I still (appreciate) that I get to play for the Mooseheads and be at home after being away for a few years.”Article contentBecause he had a family history with the franchise and a close friend already on the team when he arrived a year ago, Kennedy felt comfortable right away. The coaches also came to him as soon as he arrived and asked him to take on leadership responsibilities, even though he didn’t even know most of his new teammates.
Quinn Kennedy providing scoring and leadership for young Mooseheads
