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.