Kings' Quick uses 2nd Stanley Cup championship to give back to youth hockey in his hometown

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick may be a two-time Stanley Cup champion, but the 28-year-old has not forgotten his hockey roots.

Quick says he owes a lot of his success to his late youth hockey coach, Jason Pagni, who died in a car crash back on Jan. 31. Less than a month after defeating the New York Rangers for a second NHL championship in three years, Quick returned to Connecticut to host a private Stanley Cup viewing fundraiser for Hamden Youth Hockey players and their families.

The event raised money for the Gabriella & Madelyn Education Fund, established for Pagni's daughters after his untimely passing.

"[Pagni] is one of the best guys I ever met," Quick told The Hartford Courant. More from Quick:

He's very special to me, I've known him for a long time and he was very special to a lot of hockey players that he coached or played with. I think there are a lot of guys that grew up in this area that he taught who are succeeding on the professional level, the college level. They all owe a lot to him. I was very fortunate to be able to meet him, spend time with him and call him my friend. It means a lot to be able to try to give back to everything he's given to me.

The event raised $5,113, and Quick saw it as an opportunity to inspire the youth of his hometown, where he began his high school hockey career. 

"It's special," Quick said. "It's something that doesn't happen very often. I think it's great the kids were able to check it out and get a picture with it, it's something they'll remember for a long time, hopefully give them something to strive for as players and something to look forward to and try to do."

Interestingly, Quick - who suffered a wrist injury during the playoffs - was unable to sign autographs during the event. He did, however, take selfies with fans, which will henceforth be referred to as Quickies.