When worlds collide, part 2: Pelham’s Quinton Byfield goes on VIP visit to big Quinton Byfield’s L.A. Kings
As the Pelham Examiner reported in February 2022, Pelham nine-year-old Quinton Byfield and the Quinton Byfield who plays for the Los Angeles Kings not only share a name, but Canadian and Jamaican roots and a love of ice hockey. Little Byfield, who was eight at the time, and his family went to a Jan. 24, 2022 game between the New York Rangers and the Kings at Madison Square Garden, at which big Byfield gave the boy with the same name a surprise: an invitation to come out to Los Angeles to watch the Kings play in the Crypto.com Arena. Little Byfield and his family made the trip last month and saw the Kings take on three other NHL teams. He also spent time with big Byfield, took the ice with his hero and was interviewed on TV, among several amazing hockey experiences. Here is little Quinton Byfield’s account of his trip:
Hello, my name is Quinton Byfield. I am nine years old, playing my second year in Pelham Youth Hockey (10UA). In the NHL world, I am known as “the little Quinton Byfield” because of my association with Quinton Byfield (#55), a first-line forward in the current L.A. Kings’ lineup.
In last year’s article, Charlie Parent from the Pelham Examiner interviewed me about my first meeting with the L.A. Kings at Madison Square Garden. Since then, my family and I were invited to spend a few days in Los Angeles with the team, especially “big Quinton Byfield.”
It was very exciting all the time that we were there.
Game 1 was Kings vs. Islanders, where I met Bailey, the Kings’ mascot, and #55 Quinton Byfield scored a great goal.
Game 2 was Kings vs Columbus Blue Jackets. I entered through the player’s tunnel with big Quinton, and we had a nice conversation.
There were a lot of cameras everywhere that night. I sat in VIP first-row seats, and we had access to the Chairman’s Lounge throughout the game. I was interviewed by Carrlyn Bathe from Bally Sports West, and we talked about how this experience is helping my game.
At the end of the second period, I was invited to ride the Zamboni. It was so amazing to be at the Crypto.com arena, clearing the ice with the “Zam Man.”
Game 3 was Kings vs Vancouver Canucks. That night, I was interviewed again by Bally Sports and Salish Matter (a YouTube sensation). All the players greeted me before hitting the ice, and I got to sit in the players’ box during the warm-ups. Lots of hockey fans were saying nice things to me at the arena because they knew about the Quinton Byfield story.
I spent two mornings at the Kings’ practice arena. Also, I got to skate on the ice with big QB for over half an hour, and we had a nice lunch together. I got to ask him a lot of questions from my list that I brought with me.
Overall, it was a great trip. I think I am a very lucky boy as lots of young hockey players dream about this happening. The L.A. Kings and the staff really made the experience great!
Linda Y Willis • Apr 22, 2023 at 9:58 am
A wonderful heartwarming story!