UMass became the first school ever to have a Conn Smythe winner and a Super Bowl champion in the same year.

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While Jonathan Quick's Conn Smythe winning performance helped earn him a special place in Los Angeles Kings history, he added to his legacy as a former University of Massachusetts Minuteman as well.

Quick, who was the first Minuteman with an Olympic hockey medal (silver in 2010), will be the first former UMass player with his name on the Stanley Cup. Quick is just the sixth former college player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, which goes to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

UMass became the first school ever to have a Conn Smythe winner and a Super Bowl champion in the same year. Former Minuteman Victor Cruz was on the New York Giants' team that capture the NFL crown.

It's been a year of championships with UMass connections. Former coach John Calipari won an NCAA men's basketball championship with Kentucky. Former Minuteman All-American Jack Reid was a member of the Major League Lacrosse champion Boston Cannons. Former Minuteman Mike Kostka was part of the Calder Cup champion Norfolk Admirals of the AHL this week.

Before Cruz, it had been a while since a UMass athlete won a championship in the four major sports. Kole Ayi earned a Super Bowl ring with the 2002 Patriots, but he was on injured reserve at the time.

Jeff Reardon earned a save for the Minnesota Twins in Game 7 of the 1987 World Series.

It's been almost 30 years since former Minutemen won titles in two sports in the same season. The late Mike Flanagan was a pitcher for the 1983 Baltimore Orioles, who beat the Phillies in the World Series, while Julius Erving played for the NBA champion Philadelphia 76ers.

Bruce Kimball won a Super Bowl with the Redskins in 1984, while Phil Vandersea got a ring in 1967 with Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at

http://www.facebook....teUMassCoverage.

[Blackout]

cool story bro

[PFSIKH]

Who gives a sh*t? They have not won an Hockey NCAA Championship or a BCS Championship.

[HessStation]

Who gives a sh*t? They have not won an Hockey NCAA Championship or a BCS Championship.

I think they won the AA a few years back with Don Brown.

[PFSIKH]

I think they won the AA a few years back with Don Brown.

That is why I said BCS. Oy!

[HessStation]

That is why I said BCS. Oy!

Oy!