New Sherwood Guy in Town

Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Quinn has become one of the most talked-about players in the hockey equipment world during these Stanley Cup Playoffs.

More specifically, all eyes have been on the stick in his hands. Out of nowhere, Quinn made the unexpected switch to the Sherwood Rekker Morph Pro stick just ahead of Buffalo’s Conference Semifinal matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, and the move has quickly become one of the biggest equipment stories of the postseason.

The first signs of the change came during morning skate prior to Game 1 of the series. Quinn was spotted handling a Sherwood Rekker Morph Pro, immediately sparking curiosity among equipment enthusiasts and Sabres fans alike.

While players often test gear in practices or morning skates without ever bringing it into game action, Quinn wasted no time making the switch official. That same evening, he stepped onto the ice for Game 1 using the new Sherwood twig in a playoff environment.

Now, several weeks later, the experiment may be permanent.

Quinn has continued using the Rekker Morph Pro in every game of the series, and the results are beginning to speak for themselves. Most notably, in Buffalo’s must-win Game 6, Quinn delivered a massive performance by recording two goals and an assist while helping the Sabres stave off elimination and force a Game 7 back in Buffalo.

For many observers, it felt like a statement game. Not only for Quinn, but perhaps for Sherwood as well.

It is fair to wonder if Quinn’s increasing comfort level with the stick is beginning to show. NHL players are famously particular about their equipment, especially their sticks.

Even subtle changes in kick point, blade feel, or balance can dramatically impact performance and confidence. That makes Quinn’s success with the Rekker Morph Pro all the more impressive, particularly considering the pressure and intensity of playoff hockey.

For Sherwood, this development represents another major step in what has been a notable resurgence at the NHL level over the past few seasons.

Once viewed primarily as a nostalgic brand tied to hockey’s past, Sherwood has aggressively re-entered the modern performance equipment market and become one of the most discussed companies in the sport. Their strategy has been impossible to ignore.

Rather than simply chasing volume, Sherwood has targeted high-profile NHL stars in major hockey markets, creating visibility where it matters most. Toronto Maple Leafs superstar William Nylander has become one of the faces of the brand. Detroit Red Wings sniper Alex DeBrincat has also been prominently featured using Sherwood gear. Then there is Connor Bedard in Chicago, one of the most marketable young players in hockey today.

Now, with Jack Quinn joining the fold in Buffalo, Sherwood has established another important foothold in a passionate hockey city.

Buffalo may not always receive the same national attention as Toronto or Chicago, but within the hockey world, it remains one of the league’s most loyal and engaged markets. Sabres fans care deeply about every aspect of the game, including equipment trends and player preferences.

Quinn becoming “the Sherwood guy” in Buffalo immediately gives the company additional credibility and visibility among younger players and fans throughout Western New York and beyond.

The timing also makes perfect sense from a branding perspective. Quinn is still just 24 years old and possesses the skill set to develop into an everyday top-six forward for the Sabres.

Injuries have slowed portions of his early NHL career, but the talent has never been questioned. He has shown flashes of elite scoring ability, strong hockey sense, and the quick release that modern offensive players rely on. If Quinn continues trending upward while using Sherwood sticks, it could become a massive win for the company long-term.

Young stars endorsing equipment can completely shift public perception of a brand. Hockey players at every level often want to emulate NHL talent, especially rising offensive forwards. Seeing Quinn produce in the playoffs with a Rekker Morph Pro in his hands instantly creates intrigue among players looking for their next stick.

What adds even more intrigue to the story is that Quinn’s switch was largely unexpected. Some fans may recall that Sabres defenseman Owen Power was seen testing Sherwood sticks toward the end of last summer.

However, those experiments never translated into actual NHL game usage. Because of that, few anticipated Quinn suddenly making the leap during the playoffs of all times.

Now the conversation shifts to what could happen next.

Could Quinn eventually transition into Sherwood gloves as well? It is certainly possible.

Equipment changes often happen gradually, especially at the professional level. A player may begin with a stick endorsement before eventually moving into gloves, pants, or other categories over time.

Much could depend on how deep Buffalo’s playoff run goes, but even if the change does not happen immediately, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Quinn throughout the offseason and into training camp.

Every offseason skate, summer development session, and preseason appearance will now be monitored closely by equipment watchers eager to see whether more Sherwood gear starts appearing in Quinn’s setup.

For now, though, Jack Quinn and Sherwood have quickly become one of the most fascinating equipment storylines of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If the production continues while helping Buffalo push deeper into the postseason, the attention surrounding both player and brand is only going to grow.

Photo Credit: Joe Hrycych