| Quinn Finley | Madison Capitols | USHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 170 | Wisconsin | 2023 | Saumico, WI | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
USHL: Madison vs Dubuque, February 23, 2022: Smaller scrappy forward that plays a prototypical energizing role. He’s going to be on top of you on the forecheck and he will be pestering you on the backcheck. His feet never stop moving and he keeps this energy throughout the entire game. One thing that I though Finley did well in the game tonight was show a physical side. He didn’t let his size determine the fight he wanted to show in the game. He will finish his checks and take checks at the same time and get up and do it again. B-
USHL: Madison Capitols vs Green Bay Gamblers, October 30, 2021: In the 4-2 Madison win Finley earned 15:59 in total ice time including 3:19 while on the power play. Statistically he finished plus 1 with 1 assist, 7 shots on goal (5PP), an additional 3 shots were blocked and 1 takeaway versus 1 giveaway that occurred in the offensive grey area when trying to beat a defender 1 on 1. As always it is very easy to notice Finley’s speed and offensive instincts, The puck seemed to follow into the scoring area or high slot. He looked comfortable with his move to the bumper spot while on the power play and we feel his quick release will lead to more power play points. He showed jam while digging for rebounds and his ability to extend an offensive zone scrum led to his assist. Although not a banger, we feel he looked stronger on the puck and more confident in physical confrontations.
USHL: Weekend #4, October 27, 2021: Really nice puck release on Finley. He’s able to corral the puck quickly and get accurate shots off without hesitation. Scored a nice goal in the slot area, catching a puck from low to high, and under pressure, catch and shoot before the goalie knew he had it. He does a good job at keeping his feet moving and staying in motion in the offensive zone, this gives him a chance to sneak into open areas. In the defensive zone he continues that same habit but without the same effect. Needs to learn to put the brakes on and see what’s coming behind him. Grade: B-
USHL: Madison Capitols vs Tri-City Storm, September 24, 2021: In the 2-1 loss to Tri-City Finley earned 19:06 in total ice time including 3:23 in power play time. Statistically he finished minus 1 (OT Winner), with 1 shot on goal, 1 blocked shot, 1 hit and 5 giveaways versus 5 takeaways. Among Madison’s forwards he was second behind Kyle Kukkonen in 5 on 5 ice time. Immediately we noticed more accountability in Finley’s game, noting that he maintained line-ups while in defensive zone coverage and showed nice awareness when he collapsed to lift an opponent’s stick to prevent a quality scoring chance. We liked how he stopped hard on pucks and showed a willingness to compete in all three zones. He had two power play scoring opportunities that went wide, but it was obvious that Finley wanted the puck and wanted to be a difference maker.
USHL: Madison Capitols vs Des Moines Buccaneers, September 23, 2021: In the 6-3 loss to Des Moines Finley earned 17:31 in total ice time including 2:35 while on the power play. Statistically he finished an even plus/minus with 1 goal on 4 shots (3PP), 1 power play one-timer that was blocked in the high slot and 8 giveaways versus 2 takeaways. As was signified by his 8 giveaways, we do not feel this was a good game for Finley. In our opinion his opponents were more desperate to win the physical confrontations and often times Finley took the long route to the puck. He is a highly skilled forward who has the ability to make plays happen out of thin air, but this was a night to have a short memory.
USA Hockey Selects 17’s, July 14, 2021: Finley played fast, smart and highly skilled hockey here. He had soft first touches and passed pucks rapidly to smart spots. He put his teammates in spots to make plays. He zipped pucks quickly through the middle zone. He had a ton of puck possession time as he showed poise and had the skill to possess and plan his attacks. His skating was smooth with a long stride. He was all over the ice all week. Finley made one touch passes, threw sauce, made backhand passes and used the indirect. His vision was superb. His hands were quick and helped him find seams to thread pucks through. Quinn also scored some goals. He fired a wrister after he curled and wheeled to the net. The puck never slowed him. He also scored on a breakaway on a pretty deke. QF scored on both his penalty shots in shootouts as well. One on a slow approach and snipe and the other on a wicked snapper. He had a great week and was a factor all over the ice. He made the Hlinka Team as well as NZ’s All-Star Team. Grade: A
USHL: Draft Recap, May 8, 2020: Finley was an NTDP camp invite. He is our 23rd ranked 2004 in the USA and could have made the team at camp. He is quick, fast and mobile. He pushes bad gaps on opponents and knows how to create space. He uses that space well as he has the tools to move laterally to open passing and shooting lanes or hold possession and let plays develop. His edges are elite. He is both clever and mature and can change the angle on his shot, can bait a defender and then dish it to open space and doesn’t have predetermined moves; he reads defenders and reacts to their weaknesses. High ceiling player who remains uncommitted.
U15: Whitby Silver Stick (2004s), December 18, 2019: A smooth skating forward, Finley adjusts to passes and when he breaks stride to get a pass, he is able to get back to full speed in a few steps. He pushed defenders back on entries with his speed and maintained possession on the peripheral. Finley needs to use his speed and edgework to attack the net and work on shooting while in full stride or in tight. Grade: B
U15: USHL Showcase, October 25, 2019: Quinn is an athletic, playmaking forward that is skilled with and without the puck. Handles the puck well and plays through traffic. He has a rocket for a shot and uses it in all situations. Strong enough to challenge goalies from the outside. In one viewing he cut down the wing and snapped the puck far side under the bar. He is smart and finds the soft ice in the offensive zone. He has good timing and changes pace to open up time and space through the neutral zone. He has good puck skills and made several nice touch plays to create scoring chances. He works hard on both sides of the puck and isn’t afraid to use his body to play physical. High upside. Grade: A-
U15: MN Bantam Elite League, September 2019: Quinn was simply the best all-around player for us this weekend. A combination of skating, puck skills and understanding for the game made him impossible to shut down. To go along with all his traits, he was unselfish and competed extremely hard. He showed he is a winner and a player any coach would want on his team.
USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp, August 24, 2019: Finley is a quick, shifty, cerebral playmaker who was all over the ice here creating for his teammates. He’s light on his feet, accelerates seamlessly in any direction and has the quick, nifty hands to make opponents miss. Finley is both clever and mature and can change the angle on his shot, can bait a defender and then dish it to open space and doesn’t have predetermined moves; he reads defenders and reacts to their weaknesses. The same goes for his shooting, he has his head up, he reads the goalie and tries to get them to move and then shoots to the opening. His hands are smooth and elusive and he has impressive puck control, maintaining possession in traffic and receiving hard passes in stride. Dynamic, quick, skilled and smart. Made a lot of plays here and show the vision and playmaking ability to play at the next level. Up and coming NCAA/CHL prospect. Grade: B+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Stats provided by InStat