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Jonathan "Quick" Out of the Gate for Los Angeles Kings in 2011-12

NHLPA
Oct 31, 2011


Most Hollywood movies run far less than 202 minutes, which makes Jonathan Quickโ€™s recent shutout streak more than worthy of rave reviews.

He strung together three consecutive shutouts, performances that earned him front-page headlines in the hockey world and worthy accolades, including the nod as the NHLPA.com Player of the Week. And though his streak came to an end on October 27, Quickโ€™s efforts wonโ€™t soon be forgotten.

Quick became the first goaltender in the Los Angeles Kingsโ€™ 44-year history to record three consecutive shutouts as defenceman Jack Johnson scored in the third period of a 1-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on October 22.

And while youโ€™d think heโ€™d have plenty to speak about when it comes to his play, Quick, who also owns the Kings' longest scoreless streak at 202 minutes and 11 seconds, is by no means a big-talker.

โ€œI think what anyone does, whether itโ€™s in your personal life, or your career, is to try and be better. Whether itโ€™s being a better person or better at what you do, you strive to for that.โ€

Itโ€™s obvious Quick, the 72nd overall selection of the Kings in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, is living up to his words.

But heโ€™s also quick to credit just about everyone else but himself when talk turns to his impressive feat.

In this instance, that would be praising three pipes and all of his teammates.

โ€œThat would kind of be it,โ€ said Quick, who led Avon Old Farms to two straight New England Prep Championships in his junior and senior seasons in Connecticut. โ€œObviously, Iโ€™m happy that Iโ€™ve been able to contribute something to our team winning. But really, itโ€™s that we are winning that is the most important thing. Earning a shutout in one game is great, but the key is to get the two points.โ€

Especially when the difference in earning a playoff spot or sitting on the sidelines in the both conferences can some down to one game.

โ€œYou canโ€™t take anything for granted,โ€ said the 25-year-old, who led the University of Massachusetts Minutemen to their first NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship appearance during his two-season U.S. collegiate career. โ€œWe knew we had to be ready to go right from Game 1. And that mindset doesnโ€™t change throughout the year. When you look back at last season and see how crazy it was, with so many teams separated by so little.โ€

The Kings finished seventh in the West, just one point out of fourth and four clear of 10th.

This year, their path toward another postseason appearance began in Europe, where they played two gamesโ€”one in Germany, the other in Sweden.

โ€œIt was a unique way to begin things and I thought we handled all of it well,โ€ said Quick, who played his first NHL game on December 6, 2007 against the Buffalo Sabres in an 8โ€“2 win. โ€œWe have a lot of expectations and each game we play is equally as important.โ€

Quick is ready to play his part on a team thatโ€™s pegged as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

โ€œEach and every one of us knows what it takes to get to the point where we want to be,โ€ Quick said. โ€œBut for as much as you might want to look forward, you just canโ€™t in this league.โ€

Which is why Quick is reluctant to dwell on his past successes.

โ€œYou can look at the positives and be confident, but you need to stay grounded and focused on the next task at hand. What matters to me is getting win. Shutouts are nice, but getting two points, Iโ€™ll take that any time.โ€

Still, itโ€™s a good feeling for Quick in knowing that heโ€™s capable of squaring off against the leagueโ€™s best shooters.

But thereโ€™s on person in particular he wonโ€™t be upset about giving up the odd goal to.

โ€œSheโ€™s getting pretty good with the stick, so I wonโ€™t be surprised if sheโ€™s able to get one past me,โ€ said Quick, of his daughter, Madison, whoโ€™ll turn 2 years old in March. โ€œSheโ€™s got pretty good hands.โ€

So does her dad, a goaltender, not a Hollywood movie star, but a man playing a lead role in Los Angelesโ€™ quest for their first league championship.


By Chris Lomon, NHLPA.com. Visit NHLPA.com for more player news and video