With news that Brendan Shanahan has taken the position of President and alternate governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the NHL was in need of someone who could head the department of player safety. The league announced today that effective immediately, Stephane Quintal will fill that role, for the rest of the NHL season and the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Shanahan had been the league’s top disciplinarian since the summer of 2011.

The 45-year-old Quintal joined the leagues department of player safety shortly after Shanahan. Quintal is a 16-year NHL veteran who played 1,037 games as an NHL defenceman. Originally a first round draft choice of the Boston Bruins, Quintal is best known for the seven seasons he spent with the Montreal Canadiens. He also played for the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers.

Quintal will have two incidents to deal with from Thursday Night’s games. Montreal defenceman Douglas Murray was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding against the Islanders Johan Sundstrom. It was Murray’s first game back in the Montreal lineup after serving a three-game suspension for elbowing Mike Kostka of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Meanwhile, Minnesota Wild forward Mike Rupp caught T.J. Oshie of the St. Louis Blues with a blindside hit in last night’s action. These two incidents could set the tone for Quintal’s leadership over the next several weeks.

Quintal will continue to have the support of the other members of the Department of Player Safety in assessing video of the incidents and conducting telephone or in-person hearings, and handing down punishments.

The NHL playoffs begin on Wednesday, April 16th.

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