Jonathan Quick nominated for Masterton Trophy after setting US goalie wins mark

DETROIT, Michigan — The way the Rangers mobbed Jonathan Quick in Arizona, after the first-year Blueshirt became the winningest U.S.-born goaltender with his 392nd career victory, was telling.

It painted a story of a 38-year-old netminder, who was celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime achievement with his teammates, just over a year after having his storied NHL career turned upside down.

In that moment, however, all anyone could see was the Rangers’ genuine elation for a player who has brought so much into the locker room in such a short amount of time.

It was a scene that revealed why the Rangers chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association selected Quick as the club’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.”

“Played in one place for such a long time, had so much success,” said Chris Kreider, who can relate as a player who has spent his whole career with one team, in advance of Friday’s 4-3 win over the Red Wings. “Obviously, he’s going to have his number retired, probably be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s a living American legend. I just think it speaks volumes about how he was able to do something that he had never done in his career, to leave a situation where he was very familiar and comfortable.

“And to not only have as much success as he’s had, but to endear himself so quickly in Vegas and obviously here. You see the reaction when he wins that game in Arizona. How absolutely thrilled everyone is. We’re thrilled to have him for another year after this.”