Jonathan Quick named starter for U.S. at World Cup

Goals from T.J. Oshie, Ryan Kesler and Derek Stepan helped the USA hang on to defeat Finland.

Jonathan Quick has been named the starter for the U.S. at the World Cup of Hockey.

The Los Angeles Kings netminder had a couple of very impressive pre-tournament showings, stopping 63 of 66 shots faced in just under two games.

He beat out Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop and Ney Jersey’s Cory Schneider for the job, with head coach John Tortorella saying Bishop will be his team’s primary backup.

Quick has earned himself a reputation as an excellent big-game goalie, having won the Stanley Cup twice with the Kings. His play in the spring of 2012 saw him awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs.

The 30-year-old has been a Vezina Trophy finalist twice, including this past season, but nevertheless Quick’s play has become a bit of a divisive topic among hockey fans.

Some would rank him among the very best in the game, lauding his athleticism and clutch performances. Others believe him to be merely above average and often out of position.

For reference, in the 2015-16 regular season, Quick posted a .918 save percentage, good for 19th in the NHL.

Bishop had a .924 save percentage (second only to Brian Elliott), while Schneider finished tied for fourth at .924.

The Americans open the World Cup on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET) against Team Europe.

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