Kings seeking Quick benefits

After getting married on Aug. 23, Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick postponed his honeymoon so he could work out with his teammates.

"They were voluntary (workouts), but I knew a lot of guys would be out here and I didn't want to give them the wrong impression," Quick said. "My wife completely understood I had to start getting ready for the season.

"We are going to have a honeymoon next summer. It's good because it will give us some time to put some thought into where we're going."

If the Kings have their way, they're going to the playoffs this season for the first time in seven years, and the committed Quick could be the key to their chances, which is just fine with him.

"That's what I want to be," Quick said before helping the Kings to a 5-3 exhibition win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden. "I like those situations where you're being counted on to come up big for your team."

A third-round draft pick of Los Angeles in 2005 out of the University of Massachusetts, Quick, 23, started last season with the American Hockey League's Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs. But he was called up by the Kings in December and earned the starting job, going 21-18-2 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.

Quick also was one of three goalies -- along with Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins and Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres -- to attend this summer's U.S. Olympic men's hockey team orientation camp, where Team USA coach Ron Wilson said he is nothing less than the "future of USA goaltending right now."

The Kings, who have been searching for the next Rogie Vachon since the former Vezina Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion left Los Angeles in 1978, are hoping Quick can become a big part of their future as well.

"Coming into this season, he's going to be our No. 1 goaltender," Los Angeles coach Terry Murray said. "His time with the U.S. Olympic program this past summer is just a real feather in his cap and a real boost to his confidence, and we're looking for a solid season from him."

Quick made his NHL debut with the Kings in the 2007-08 season, when he played in three games for them after spending the bulk of the season with the ECHL's Reading Royals and the Monarchs.

"Considering the fact two years ago I was in Reading in the (ECHL), I've definitely come a long way. But I'm definitely still not where I want to be," he said. "At the end of the day, I only played in (44) games last year. I still have a lot to prove."

Quick already has impressed Murray, who said the goalie has "a lot of ability and a great amount of talent."

"He's a highly competitive guy who really puts his work boots on every day in practice and wants to get better and be challenged," Murray said. "That's a great attitude to have to boost your game up to the next level. Mentally, he's tough."

Kings newcomer Ryan Smyth said Quick's "name is fitting for how quick he is."

"I'm very impressed with him," Smyth said.

Since coming over in a trade from Colorado, Smyth said he has been surprised at the strength of the goaltending in Los Angeles, which also features netminders Erik Ersberg, 27, and Jonathan Bernier, 22.

"All of them are great," he said.

Quick said he'd love to make the Olympic team this year, but expects that decision to hinge on his performance with the Kings.

"It won't happen at all," he said, "if I can't get this team going and win some games in L.A."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.