Musty on Joey Muldowney, Having 62 Family & Friends at Draft

Meet Quentin Musty!

The newest San Jose Sharks player is New York native, but he opted for the Ontario Hockey League for his junior hockey career. He would be selected first-overall in the 2021 OHL Draft by the Sudbury Wolves and put up 12 goals and 31 assists in 50 games in his debut season.

His second season and draft year would start off with illness and just nine points in his first 10 games. Musty would conclude the season, however, with 26 goals and 78 points in 53 games which led first-time draft-eligible players in the OHL.

Dobber Prospects’ Sebastian High had this to say about the 17-year-old: “Musty is a fluid skater – clearly above-average – and pairs this mobility with borderline elite handling and passing, as well as a violent release, especially in his wrist shot.”

These tools led to Musty being selected 26th-overall by the San Jose Sharks. Here are some highlights from his first interview in teal:

Musty on his interactions with Mike Grier and the San Jose Sharks at the NHL Combine:

It was good, real casual. Kept it light, mostly basic questions. Some teams are a little more serious, [but] it was a little more laid back conversation. It was great to have that conversation with someone who played in Buffalo, my hometown. Growing up, you know who he is. It was just a laid back conversation. I came back to take some iPad tests for them. Everything I had was really positive with them and really laid back. So I appreciate it.

Musty on his experience in Nashville for the Draft:

It’s been great. I’m not really one for being nervous. Just enjoying this week and turning it into a little vacation for the family and spending it with them. I didn’t really have too many nerves until the draft really started. It’s been great. This city is awesome. Great hospitality where I’ve been staying with my family. It’s been great.

Musty on choosing the OHL for his junior league instead of the USNTDP or USHL:

Haven’t looked back on it, but now that I do: They’re the reason I’m here. The coaches I’ve had there, the teammates especially, they’re part of the reason I’m here now.  I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Musty on having his family present for the draft:

Like I said, I’m not really one for nervousness. Wherever I get picked, obviously you want to go as high as possible, but I think it really counts when you get to development camp. This is just a step in the right direction. I think them being here helped distract me from the fact that I’m at the NHL Draft for a little bit. It was great to have them as distractions.

Musty on how his family supported him throughout his hockey career:

My mom’s got a lot of brothers and a sister and they live all over the country. Down in Carolina for a tournament or New York City, and they’re there to support. And, it’s been like that since I was six or seven. My dad’s side, they all live in the area I grew up in. They’re always at my stuff and just having them support me all the way up, having such a close knit family, meant a lot to me. For them to all be here today meant so much to me. They brought me to this point. I’m happy to have them as part of my journey today.

Musty on his invite for camp for the USA World Junior Championships roster:

I got the honor of getting the invite to camp. That’s a big goal for me as well, in July, trying to make that team. Go represent my country. I had the opportunity to do it at Hlinka-Gretzky and it was one of the best experiences of my hockey career with USA Hockey. They’re really classy and I had a lot of fun there. Hopefully, I make the team and hopefully I have the opportunity to represent them again.

Musty on fellow San Jose Sharks draft pick, Joey Muldowney:

He’s been one of my close friends for a while now. He’s someone I bounce a lot of stuff off of. He’s one of the most pro people I’ve ever met with his habits and on-ice and…I like to bounce things off him. I’m trying to learn what he does and now I’ve got something to talk about with him more, how the area is and stuff like that. It’s only gonna bring us closer as we’re already pretty close.

Musty on rebounding from illness and a slow start at the beginning of the season:

My two years in the OHL have had a lot of adversity with injury and coaching changes. But, relying on my teammates and that support group to get me through that and bring me where I am today.

Musty on celebrating with 62 family members/friends:

It’s gonna be something. (laughs) Hopefully, I don’t get lost in that crowd. Hopefully, I’ll get to see all of them and have a good time with them.

"Mustys expect 62 friends and family (62!) to be in the arena for Quentin’s big moment" https://t.co/hIMRNHO809

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 29, 2023