Following a thrilling Bruins-Flyers Winter Classic game at Fenway Park the USA Olympic team was announced and former UMass goaltender Jon Quick was among those whose name was called.  Quick becomes the fourth UMass player to participate in the Olympics, the previous being silver medal winners Jerry McCarthy and John Lyons in the 1924 games while Thomas Pöck played for his native Austria in 2002.

Quick will likely be the third string goaltender behind Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas.  All in all 18 different players on Team USA have played college hockey.

Here’s the official release from UMass Athletics.

The Hockey News talks about Quick’s selection being a surprise but perhaps a move to prepare him for future games.

The New England Hockey Journal writes about Quick and other local players selected for the team.

NHL.com has Quick’s reaction to the honor:

“It is real exciting as it is something you dream about growing up. It is such a unique opportunity as you play with the best from your country against the best in the world. I am looking forward to it but I still have a job to do over the next six months so I will be taking things one day at a time.”

Quick added that “Thomas and Miller are great goaltenders and have a lot of experience. I am going to go into like there is a spot up for grabs.

“At the end of the day, you want to be in the net.”

Team USA architect Brian Burke says goaltending is key.