David Quinn and Brendan Smith have a relationship that dates back more than a decade, to when the then-Boston University assistant coach was personally trying to recruit the defenseman out of Toronto, who as a 16-year-old was deciding a) whether to go the OHL route or college route to the pros; and then, b) which school to attend.
“I don’t think I’ve ever told Quinny this, but BU was probably my second choice,” Smith, who did just fine by going to Wisconsin, said Sunday.
“Yeah, I think that’s what all the recruits say,” Quinn, laughing, said later.