After his prep career at the Kent School, he was drafted in the first round, 13th overall, by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Quinn forwent turning professional immediately after being drafted, and instead played collegiately for Boston University. After his junior season, he tried out for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team. However, during his tryout he was diagnosed with Haemophilia B, a rare disorder which prevents blood from clotting properly. Due to the disorder, Quinn was forced to retire from the game. Quinn was later able to find funding for expensive medication to combat the disease, and he was given a tryout for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. He did not make the team, but he did attract the attention of the New York Rangers, who signed him to his first professional contract in February 1992. Quinn finished the 1991–92 season with the Rangers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Rangers. He then played the entire 1992–93 season with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League. He retired following that season, however, without ever making the National Hockey League.
Coaching career
After retiring from playing, Quinn began a career as a coach. After serving as an assistant coach for Northeastern University, Quinn joined a fledgling program at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. After helping build the program at Omaha for six years, Quinn left to become a developmental coach for USA Hockey. He then worked as an assistant at his alma mater, Boston University, helping the Terriers to the National Title in 2009. On June 22, 2009, Quinn was introduced as head coach for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. It marked a return to Cleveland where he played with the Lumberjacks of the IHL. He coached Lake Erie from 2009 to 2012. On June 14, 2012, Quinn was named as an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. On March 25, 2013, Quinn was named the eleventh head coach of Boston University, replacing Jack Parker. On May 23, 2018, the New York Rangers announced that Quinn was hired as head coach. On October 11, 2018, Quinn picked up his first NHL regular season win, against the San Jose Sharks.
