Jonathan Quick, Stanley Cup visit to Hamden a private affair
HAMDEN – Jonathan Quick’s return to his hometown, Stanley
Cup in tow, is not open to the general public. The event, scheduled for Sunday afternoon
at Hamden High, is exclusively for children and families of the Hamden Youth
Hockey Association.
Earlier reports of the visit neglected to mention the
viewing party was meant to be a private affair.
On Thursday night, Quick emailed a statement to the Register to clear up
the confusion.
“We would like to apologize that incorrect information was
released and want to clarify the event on Sunday. Jonathan wants to share the
Stanley Cup with the young hockey players of Hamden, where he grew up playing
and dreaming of winning it. This will be a private event for only the Hamden
Youth Hockey Association and their families at the Louis Astorino Ice Arena.
“Details will be provided to the families who have children
who participate in Hamden Youth Hockey. He appreciates all the hometown support
he has received throughout his career.”
Quick organized the event as a fundraiser for the family of
the late Jason Pagni, a friend and prominent youth hockey coach in Hamden who
died in an auto accident in January. His intention from the outset was to make
Sunday a special day for the hockey-playing children in Hamden.
All Hamden Youth Hockey Association players, roughly 175, and
their immediate families can see the Cup and take photos with Quick that
afternoon. Those without invitations will not be able to enter the rink.
Quick, one of the biggest names in the NHL, led the Los
Angeles Kings to their second Stanley Cup in three seasons by defeating the New
York Rangers last month. The goaltender grew up in Hamden, and his parents
still reside in town. Word of his visit spread quickly, first through social
media and then a report in the Register earlier this week.
Organizers believed there was potential for thousands of
visitors to descend upon the high school for the scheduled two-hour visit. Dan
Bush, owner of the company that operates Astorino Rink, said his office has
been besieged with calls and emails from fans as far as Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and New York. At least one said he had rented a bus specifically for the
event.
Quick had a conference call Thursday afternoon with Bush and
a representative from the Kings to finalize plans for Sunday.
Pagni, a Hamden resident and fixture in area youth hockey
circles, coached Quick as a youth player and the two remained friends as Quick
went off to Avon Old Farms and the University of Massachusetts before starting
his pro career. As a tribute, Quick had a quote from Pagni inscribed on his
helmet throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. Proceeds from Sunday will be
donated to a college fund for Pagni’s two daughters.
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