DVHL Roots to National Team Standout

April 11, 2025
NEWS

DVHL Roots in Chester County

Patrick Quinlan’s journey to the national hockey stage began in the rinks of the Delaware Valley Hockey League (DVHL). A Kennett Square, Pa., native, Quinlan first guarded the net for the Chester County Cougars youth club, honing his skills and competitive drive in the local league. Even at a young age, he displayed uncommon poise and dedication. By age 5 he was learning the game at the Chester County Skating Club and developing a passion for goaltending. Those DVHL beginnings laid a strong foundation, giving Quinlan fundamental skills and a love for the game that would propel him forward.

Patrick said, “The DVHL was the perfect place to start my hockey career as it allowed me to skate out as well as play goal, which has really helped me as I’ve moved along. The DVHL was a lot of fun to play in and I am still in touch with many of my teammates from CCSC to this day. I also played one year for Team Philadelphia (a DVHL member at the time) before the Jr. Flyers and that was a great year as well with a lot of good teammates and coaches.”

Rising Through the Ranks: Jr. Flyers and BK Selects

DVHL Alumni – Patrick Quinlan As Quinlan’s talent blossomed, he advanced to Tier I hockey in pursuit of tougher competition. With the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers program, he quickly established himself as an elite youth goaltender. In his final 14U season with the Jr. Flyers, Quinlan turned aside an astounding 95% of shots and recorded a microscopic 1.08 goals-against average. This dominant performance (which led the league in both save percentage and GAA) showcased his technical goaltending ability and ice-cold focus.

DVHL Alumni – Patrick Quinlan – National Champion

Quinlan’s success in Pennsylvania opened the door to national exposure. For 8th and 9th grade, he backstopped the Upland Country Day School team to two strong seasons, then made a pivotal move north to join the Bishop Kearney Selects in Rochester, N.Y. There, facing top-tier AAA competition, he excelled as the starting goalie. Quinlan led BK’s 15U squad to a USA Hockey National Championships quarterfinal and shined at the prestigious Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament in Ontario, where he posted five consecutive shutouts en route to the title. Over 48 games in the 2022–23 season, he recorded a sterling 1.63 GAA and helped the Selects achieve a 54-14-7 record. This remarkable run at the AAA level proved that Quinlan could thrive under pressure and against the best of his peers.

National Team Success and NHL Draft Prospect

In 2023, Quinlan earned a coveted spot with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) – a testament to his hard work and talent. He was one of only two Pennsylvanians selected to the U.S. National Under-17 Team that year, embarking on a two-year journey in Plymouth, Mich., to train and compete with the nation’s top players. Quinlan adjusted quickly to the faster pace of junior hockey in the USHL and international play with Team USA. As the NTDP’s U17 goaltender, he backstopped the squad in high-profile games and even brought home a silver medal at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, earning the tournament’s Best GAA honor in the process. Now in 2024–25, Quinlan is the starting goalie for the U.S. Under-18 Team, facing older competition and continuing to impress with his composure in net.

Quinlan’s performances have put him on the radar as a 2025 NHL Draft prospect. In NHL Central Scouting’s midseason rankings, he was listed at #28 among North American goaltenders, the only current U18 NTDP netminder to make the list. This ranking reflects scouts’ recognition of Quinlan’s pro potential and sets him up as a likely pick in the upcoming draft.

Beyond junior hockey, his future is already taking shape at the collegiate level: Quinlan has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Notre Dame starting in the fall of 2026. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are getting a technically refined and battle-tested goalie, and Quinlan is eager to continue his development in South Bend after his NTDP tenure.

Strengths and Leadership in the Crease

What sets Patrick Quinlan apart – and has scouts and coaches so excited – are his mature skills and intangibles in the crease. He is calm under pressure, showing poise beyond his years in high-stakes moments. “A lot of what will get me there will be poise, to stay calm and not let anything negative affect me. It’s something that has helped me get to new levels of hockey,” Quinlan said about his mindset. This unflappable demeanor allows him to shake off goals and stay focused late in tight games.

Quinlan also boasts excellent technical goaltending ability. Years of specialized training and high-level competition have shaped his sound positioning and efficient movement. He tracks the puck with elite vision, reacting quickly and reading plays as they develop. This elite puck-tracking skill was on full display during those five-shutout performances, as he anticipated and smothered every shot. Additionally, Quinlan is a strong communicator on the ice – a vocal leader who directs his defense and ensures everyone is organized in the defensive zone. Coaches note that his understanding of the game (helped by time spent learning other positions in youth hockey) makes him a coach on the ice, always guiding teammates.

Key Strengths:

Calm Under Pressure: Maintains composure during intense moments and big games, never rattled by adversity.
Technical Soundness: Excellent fundamentals in positioning, angles, and rebound control, honed through years of training.
Elite Puck Tracking: Exceptional ability to follow the puck through traffic and anticipate plays, leading to timely saves.
Strong Communication: Leads from the crease by clearly directing teammates, which bolsters the team’s defensive coordination.

DVHL Pride and Inspiration

Patrick Quinlan’s ascent from a DVHL youth goalie to a national program standout is a source of pride for the Delaware Valley hockey community. He exemplifies the idea that big dreams can start on local ice. Quinlan carries his hometown and DVHL roots with him, crediting those early years with instilling his work ethic and love for the sport. Now, as he stands on the cusp of an NHL career and heads to Notre Dame, the DVHL family watches with excitement and pride. His journey is an inspiration to every young player in the league – proof that with talent, determination, and strong support, a DVHL player can rise to the highest levels. Quinlan’s story is still being written, but it already speaks volumes about the strength of local hockey development and the bright future that can await DVHL alumni.

Quinlan remains focused on what comes next, but he hasn’t forgotten where he came from. In each save he makes for Team USA and each milestone he achieves, there’s a bit of Chester County with him on the ice. As the 2025 NHL Draft approaches and college hockey awaits, the DVHL community proudly cheers on one of its own, confident that Patrick Quinlan will continue to shine and make his hometown and league proud.