New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick said he was “very happy” to join his new organization but revealed on Monday he was still saddened by the abrupt end of his association with the Los Angeles Kings last season.
After playing 15 seasons in Los Angeles, Quick was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who later traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Last year was a different experience. I spent 15 years in Los Angeles and the ending there was disappointing. Now I can’t wait to go back east. I grew up in Connecticut and my wife is from there as well,” he said during a virtual news conference Monday.
The native of Connecticut, New York’s neighboring state, also stressed that when he received the Rangers’ offer, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. For me it’s something unique because I grew up with the Rangers.”
The masked man, who has adapted to the role of starting goalkeeper in recent years, will be tasked with backing up the Blueshirts’ number one goalkeeper, Igor Shesterkin. The veteran also pointed out that he had already texted his new colleague in the past few days.
Quick reached a 16-15-6 record with the Kings and Golden Knights last season, where he won the Stanley Cup.