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The NHL's Dirtiest Player Takes a Run at Leafs Rookie Jacob Quillan and Suffers Horrible Injury

Originally posted on Maple Leafs Daily | By Mike Armenti | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 8:30 PM ET

Nick Cousins is widely considered the NHL's dirtiest player, but after taking a run at Maple Leafs rookie Jacob Quillan, it was Cousins who suffered a horrible injury.

It's always a chippy affair when the Maple Leafs and Senators meet, whether it's the regular season or the playoffs, dating back to the early days of the Battle of Ontario.

Tonight's matchup between the two heated Atlantic Division rivals was no different, and the fireworks got started in the first period.

After recently being recalled by the Maple Leafs due to a slew of injuries to the forward group in Toronto, Quillan earned the opportunity to make his NHL debut on Saturday night.

His night, however, was nearly ended prematurely when he was carrying the puck through the neutral zone.

As Quillan approached the middle of the ice, he spotted Ottawa's Nick Cousins surging towards him looking to demolish him with a heavy hit at center ice. Quillan, attempting to avoid the hit, juked to his right with the puck. Unfortunately, Cousins' outstretched leg caused a wicked knee-on-knee collision that left both players shaken up.

Quillan's family was terrified to watch what had happened and feared the worst, but thankfully, the rookie pivot was able to skate it off and remain in the game. Cousins was not so lucky.

The veteran forward, who has earned a reputation for being a dirty player in his career, was in clear distress, clutching at his knee while he remained on the ice, being tended to by the Sens' trainer.

Eventually, Cousins would make his way off the ice, but would not return to the game, leaving the Senators down a forward for the rest of the evening.

Quillan was lucky to have avoided any serious injury. We've seen these types of hits end a player's season. Fortunately for Quillan, the Leafs rookie's NHL debut will not end with an injury. Unfortunately for Cousins, who needed help to get off the ice, his injury appears to be a serious one.

This article first appeared on Maple Leafs Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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