Jonathan Quick, the legendary goaltender whose name is synonymous with clutch performances and championship pedigree, has announced that his start for the New York Rangers against the Florida Panthers on April 13, 2026, will mark the final appearance of his illustrious NHL career. After nearly two decades between the pipes, Quick, now 40, leaves the game as one of the most decorated and respected American-born goalies in hockey history.
“Tonight will be my last game in the league, and I am looking forward to it,” Quick told reporters after the morning skate at Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale. “My wife (Jaclyn) flew down with the kids, my parents will be here. I am looking forward to this last one, try to get one more win here. … When I knew what the decision was going to be, it just felt right. Felt like the right time. I put some thought into it.”
Quick’s career numbers are staggering. He enters his 921st NHL appearance (including playoffs) ranked 12th all-time in goalie wins and first among U.S.-born netminders, with 410 victories and 65 shutouts—both records for American goalies. He also sits second in games played among American-born goalies and holds the most playoff shutouts by a U.S.-born netminder, tied for 12th all-time in NHL history. Only Tom Barrasso has more postseason wins among American goalies, and Quick and Barrasso are the only Americans to have backstopped their teams to multiple Stanley Cup titles.
Drafted in the third round of the 2005 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Quick spent 15 and a half seasons with the franchise, becoming its all-time leader in wins and shutouts. He was a six-time All-Star and finished top-five in Vezina Trophy voting three times, earning a reputation for his acrobatic saves, fierce competitiveness, and unflappable demeanor in high-pressure moments. His crowning achievement came in 2012, when he led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup championship, posting a jaw-dropping .947 save percentage and 1.41 goals-against average over 20 playoff games to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He backstopped the Kings to a second Cup in 2014 and was a Vezina finalist in both 2012 and 2016.
Quick’s impact extended beyond the NHL. He was the U.S. starter at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, helping the national team contend on the world stage, and earned a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games. His career was also decorated with two William M. Jennings Trophies (2013-14, 2017-18) as the goaltender who allowed the fewest goals in a season.
After his legendary run in Los Angeles, Quick’s journey took an unexpected turn in March 2021 when he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, only to be dealt the next day to the Vegas Golden Knights. In Vegas, Quick provided crucial depth down the stretch, starting in 10 games and winning six with a .901 save percentage. Though he didn’t play in the postseason, he was part of the Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup-winning squad, earning his third championship ring before signing with the Rangers that offseason.
Joining the Rangers, the team he grew up rooting for as a Milford, Connecticut native, was a storybook ending for Quick. Over the past three seasons, he served as a trusted backup to Igor Shesterkin, embracing a mentorship role and helping guide a young Rangers team through playoff runs and roster transitions. In the 2023-24 season, his steady presence was key as the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years. Along the way, Quick became the all-time leader in wins among American-born goaltenders and the first to reach 400 career victories, further cementing his place in hockey lore.
Quick’s understated approach to his retirement announcement was classic for a player who always let his play do the talking. “They found out from my wife,” he said with a grin when asked how his teammates learned of his decision. “She’s not good at keeping secrets.” He added, “Especially since I’ve come to this organization, I knew that any year could have been the last one. So I try to every day come in and enjoy it. Throughout the ups and downs, just bring a good attitude and work ethic and show up and try to help this team win some hockey games whenever my number was called.”
Rangers general manager Chris Drury praised Quick’s professionalism and character, stating, “He earned the respect of his teammates, coaches and staff members through his work ethic and dedication to his craft. Jonathan is a special person and player, and the entire Rangers organization wishes him—along with his wife, Jackie, and three children, Madison, Carter and Cash—all the best in retirement.”
Former Kings teammate Anže Kopitar, who shared the ice with Quick during both of Los Angeles’s Cup runs, reflected on their bond: “Playing for the last time against him, and playing all those years with him, you almost don’t appreciate as much how good he is, and how good of a person and how good of a friend he is, and now the last few years that he’s been gone, you miss him and everything. So it was definitely a special moment.”
Throughout his career, Quick’s intensity and focus were legendary. He was rarely one for the spotlight, preferring to let his performances speak volumes. Now, as he prepares to step on NHL ice one final time with his family in attendance, the hockey world pauses to celebrate not just a remarkable athlete, but a leader and mentor whose legacy will inspire generations of goaltenders to come.
As the puck drops in Florida, all eyes will be on Quick, hoping to see him add one more win to an already storied resume. Regardless of the outcome, his place in hockey history is secure—a testament to two decades of brilliance, resilience, and quiet leadership.