Jonathan Quick Announces Retirement After 19 NHL Seasons and Three Championships

In a heartfelt farewell, Jonathan Quick, the New York Rangers’ goaltender and a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings, has announced his retirement from the NHL after an illustrious 19-year career. The 40-year-old netminder confirmed that he would take the ice for his final game against the Florida Panthers, marking a significant milestone in his storied career, which includes 921 total appearances, playoffs included.

“Tonight will be my last game in the league, and I am looking forward to it,” Quick shared with reporters following the morning skate at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. His family made the trip to support him, as he noted, “My wife flew down with the kids, my parents will be here. I am looking forward to this last one, try to get one more win here.” Reflecting on his decision, Quick added, “It just felt right. Felt like the right time. I put some thought into it.”

Drafted by the Kings in the third round of the 2005 NHL Draft, Quick quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise, particularly during the 2008-09 season. He played a pivotal role in the Kings’ back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014, earning the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012 for his outstanding performance, which included a remarkable 16-4 playoff record, a .946 save percentage, and a 1.41 goals-against average.

Beyond his NHL accolades, Quick also represented the United States on the international stage, earning a silver medal as a backup at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He later served as the starting goalie at the 2014 Sochi Games, where he led the team to a fourth-place finish, compiling a 3-2 record.

By March 2023, Quick had solidified his legacy in Los Angeles, holding franchise records for goalies in total games (743), wins (370), and shutouts (57). However, after being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets and subsequently to the Vegas Golden Knights, Quick faced challenges in maintaining his previous level of play. Despite this, he saw ample action late in the regular season due to injuries within the Golden Knights’ lineup.

As Quick prepares for his 70th and final start with the Rangers, he closes out his career with impressive statistics: 20,315 saves—ranking 18th all-time—410 wins, placing him 12th, and 65 shutouts, good for 17th all-time. Rangers general manager Chris Drury praised Quick’s contributions, stating, “He earned the respect of his teammates, coaches, and staff members through his work ethic and dedication to his craft. Jonathan is a special person and player, and the entire Rangers organization wishes him — along with his wife, Jackie, and three children, Madison, Carter, and Cash — all the best in retirement.”

As the Rangers conclude their season with a record of 33-38-9, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, another Kings legend, Anze Kopitar, also announced his retirement after a remarkable 20-year career, all spent with Los Angeles.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.