Jonathan Quick wins special award honoring Rangers icon: ‘It’s truly special’
At least there was one thing to feel good about for the New York Rangers on Monday at Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, it didn’t help their desperate playoff chase nor take place in a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Instead, it happened before the game, and it was a special moment: Jonathan Quick was named the latest winner of the Rod Gilbert Mr. Ranger Award.
The award, which was presented by Gilbert’s widow, Judy, recognizes the Rangers player “who best honors Rod’s legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
It was created to honor Gilbert, who passed away in 2021. It is extra meaningful to Quick, who grew up in Milford, Connecticut, idolized Mike Richter, and was a big Rangers fan throughout his childhood.
“It’s an honor. I know a lot of guys who’ve won it over the years and what they’ve meant to this organization and obviously what he’s meant to this organization and the legacy he’s left behind,” Quick said postgame.
Gilbert played his entire NHL career from 1960-77 with the Rangers, and his No. 7 was retired by the organization on Oct. 14, 1979 — the first number to be raised to the rafters at The Garden. He remains the all-time leader in Rangers history with 406 goals and 1,021 points, and is second with 615 assists and 1,065 games played.
After his retirement, the Hockey Hall of Famer spent 32 years working for the organization in community relations and charitable endeavors. He represented the Rangers, Rangers Alumni Association, Madison Square Garden and the Garden of Dreams Foundation, and was a beloved member of the Blueshirts family.
Chris Kreider won the inaugural award in the 2021-22 season, then Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox won it in the following two seasons.
“Through your experiences and what you’re able to go through, you look forward to the opportunity to give back, so that definitely means a lot,” Quick said
Quick was not told ahead of time that he won the Mr. Ranger award. Even as Judy made it clear that it was about to be given to a goaltender, Quick still did not think she was about to announce his name.
“When she said her husband would have a tough time scoring on this goalie, I thought she was talking about ‘Shesty,'” Quick said with a laugh, referring to Igor Shesterkin. “It’s truly special. She’s a great lady, just an honor to receive that.”
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Jonathan Quick adds latest Rangers award to list of career accolades
Though the Rangers did sign Quick to a one-year extension in March, the veteran goaltender’s career is nearing its end. Quick will be 40 when that contract expires at the end of next season, and he’s accomplished nearly all that a goaltender could ever dream of at the NHL level.
Winning the Mr. Ranger award just adds to a lengthy list of accolades in his 18-year career.
Quick led the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup championships (2012, 2014) and was voted winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy winner a MVP of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two years later, his Kings bested the Rangers in the Final – Quick dominated, holding the Rangers to 10 goals in five games with a .932 save percentage.
Additionally, Quick played for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 when they won the Stanley Cup. Though he did not make an appearance in the playoffs, Quick still skated a lap with the Cup and picked up his third ring.
Quick has never won the Vezina Trophy as top NHL goalie in his career, but did win the Jennings Trophy twice with the Kings. That is awarded to the goalie(s) on the team which allows the fewest goals during a season.
He surpassed 400 career wins earlier this season and is now tied with Grant Fuhr for the 13th-most victories by an NHL goalie with 403. The all-time winningest United States-born goalie in NHL history is a lock one day to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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