Getting to Know: Quinn Cocquyt

Name: Quinn Cocquyt

Class: 2024

Sport: Hockey 

Twitter handle: @QCocquyt

Instagram handle: @quinn.cocquyt

What are your personal and team goals for this upcoming season?: I want to make an all-conference team. With the talent we have this year, I expect our team to go very far in playoffs and hope to win City and even 4-A State. 

What are your pre-game rituals?: Typically before the game I like to re-tape my stick, warm up the same way every game, play a game of tips, and even have some superstitions about how I put on my gear. 

Who is a player (at any level) you look up to, and why?: The player I look up to is Adam Fox because he is always fun to watch and one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He is a lockdown defender and I try to replicate my game off him. Before him, I liked to watch Duncan Keith, since he used to play for my favorite team, and because I used to watch a lot of his highlights back in the day when he used to play. Also, I look up to my brothers because of the competitiveness we have together, so I am always trying to be as good or even better than my brothers. 

What do you love about representing Penn High School?: I always have pride in putting on the Kingsmen Black and Gold, and I love representing Penn with discipline, resilience, teamwork, strong work ethic, and so much more. Playing sports at Penn has created long-lasting memories and a sense of belonging in my overall high school journey. 

How does it feel to be named an assistant captain of the hockey team?: I feel very honored to be represented as a Kingsmen leader and I know there is a high expectation and reputation that I have to live up to as a leader. Also, it means a lot to me that my team voted me as one of their captains, showing that I am not just seen as a leader by my coaches but also by my teammates. 

What advice would you give the younger guys in the program?: Enjoy every moment because the next thing you know they will be in my position. Even though you should take it very seriously also have fun. I want to emphasize to give it your all every time you step on the ice because you don’t ever want to look back on what you could’ve done better. 

What is your favorite memory from Penn hockey so far?: I will forever remember the simple things such as eating with the team and the carpool rides, but I would have to say my favorite memory was either beating Culver or winning the City tournament my sophomore year. 

What opponents are you most looking forward to this season?: I think the obvious answer is any game against St. Joseph this year. It has always been a rivalry since I was watching my brothers play them and throughout my high school career. It has been a long time coming of watching/playing against St. Joseph. We also play them on our senior night and theirs, plus it’s always electric whenever we play them in the Ice Box. 

What do you love about your sport?: I love the brotherhood and second family I have made playing hockey. My teammates always have my back and I have theirs. Other than the memories and bonds I have created over the years, playing hockey has always been my happy place. I love how the game pretty much never stops and how much the fans get involved with the game. 

Why did you choose the No. 9? What does it mean to you?: Growing up I was No. 5, but one year there was a kid older than me who already was No. 5, so I changed numbers to No. 9. My brother at the time who was playing for Penn was No. 9 and I was also a big Blackhawks fan, especially of Johnathan Toews, so the No. 9 just made sense. Now I feel I am carrying on my brother’s legacy with the No. 9.