FILE - In this March 20, 2018, file photo, San Jose Sharks' Evander Kane waits for play to resume during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in San Jose, Calif. The Sharks are closing in on a seven-year contract with Kane that will keep the high-scoring forward off the free-agent market. A person familiar with the negotiations says the contract is expected to be finalized on Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday night, May 22, on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been completed. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
FILE - In this March 20, 2018, file photo, San Jose Sharks' Evander Kane waits for play to resume during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in San Jose, Calif. The Sharks are closing in on a seven-year contract with Kane that will keep the high-scoring forward off the free-agent market. A person familiar with the negotiations says the contract is expected to be finalized on Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday night, May 22, on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been completed. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez

New York — David Quinn had been contacted by other NHL teams in recent years, and chose to remain at Boston University. When the New York Rangers came calling, it was different.

As talks with general manager Jeff Gorton and assistant GM Chris Drury — both of whom he’s known for many years — progressed, he knew it was time to make the move.

“It just seemed like a natural fit,” Quinn said on Thursday when he was introduced as the Rangers’ coach at Madison Square Garden. “I’m 52 years old and, at this point in my life, to be able to be the head coach of the New York Rangers was an opportunity I could not pass up.”

Quinn led the Terriers to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, including a trip to the national title game in 2015.

“This was a hard decision because of my love and passion for Boston University. It was an incredible opportunity for five years,” he said. “This is really the only situation I would have left Boston University for.”

Quinn spent the lockout-shortened 2013 NHL season as an assistant on Joe Sacco’s staff with the Colorado Avalanche, and also coached in the American Hockey League. Now, he becomes the 35th head coach in franchise history, replacing Alain Vigneault, who was fired April 7 just hours after the Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Sharks Lock Up Kane

San Jose, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks have signed pending free agent forward Evander Kane to a seven-year contract.

The deal finalized on Thursday keeps the high-scoring winger off the open market and part of the Sharks’ long-term future.

Kane, who turns 27 in August, was acquired from Buffalo at the trade deadline. Under the terms of that trade, the Sabres will get a first-round pick in 2019 instead of a second-rounder because Kane signed with San Jose. The selection is lottery-protected, so it could be moved to 2020.

Kane had nine goals and five assists in 17 games with San Jose. He added four goals and one assist in nine playoff games in his first career trip to the postseason.

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