Steve Quailer

Steve Quailer (born August 5, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent who last played for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

Amateur

Quailer first play major junior hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL before committing to a collegiate career with Northeastern University which competes in NCAA's Division I in the Hockey East conference. He was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 3rd round (86th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. After posting an impressive 10 goals and 25 points in 41 games for Northeastern as a freshman in 2008–09, he missed the entire 2009–10 season recovering from a knee injury. With high expectations surrounding him entering the 2010–11 season, he grossly underachieved with a disappointing 3 goals and 13 points in 38 games.

To begin the 2011–12 season Quailer and teammate Cody Ferriero (Brother of San Jose Sharks prospect Benn Ferriero) were both been suspended due to unspecified violations of team rules that occurred at the end of the 2010-11 season. Since his return, he finished the year with 8 goals and 17 assists and 34 penalty minutes, his 25 points good for 1st on the team in scoring beside freshman Swede Ludwig Karlsson, who had as many points in 32 games.

Professional

On June 14, 2012, at the completion of his four-year collegiate career, Quailer was signed to a two-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens. Quailer was traded to the Los Angeles Kings organization in exchange for Robert Czarnik on February 6, 2014and was assigned to the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings' AHL affiliate. Following the 2013-14 season, the Kings did not tender Quailer a qualifying offer and as a result he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2014.

Quailer is viewed as a power forward with potential NHL upside. He has a fairly complete skill set, having good hands, a powerful skating stride, very good puck protection and good balance to go along with his large 6'4 frame.