Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown has a maximum four chances to become the second United States-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup. In that event, he would give first-time company to Derian Hatcher of the 1999 Dallas Stars.
Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is all but a shoo-in for the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy. This would make him the second straight American stopper to be an NHL playoff MVP, succeeding Tim Thomas.
He would join only Thomas and Brian Leetch of the 1994 New York Rangers as an American Conn Smythe recipient.
It could happen as early as Wednesday night at the Staples Center, when the Kings vie for a sweep of New Jersey. Together, Brown and Quick can garner their game to a level of fascination not achieved by any American captain-goalie tandem since Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig.
They can also spawn a marketing field day for USA Hockey, Ithaca High School, Avon Old Farms School, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the Manchester Monarchs.
Not unlike Hatcher, Brown can deliver an NHL franchise’s first Cup. Not unlike Leetch, Rangers’ American goaltender Mike Richter and Thomas, Quick can d ...
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Article written by Al Daniel
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