Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings
File:Los Angeles Kings.gif
ConferenceWestern
DivisionPacific
Founded1967
HistoryLos Angeles Kings
1967-present
Home arenaStaples Center
CityLos Angeles, California
Team colorsPurple, Silver, and Black
MediaFSN West
FSN Prime Ticket
KSPN (710 AM)
Owner(s)Philip Anschutz
Edward Roski, Jr.
General managerDean Lombardi
Head coachMarc Crawford
CaptainMattias Norstrom
Minor league affiliatesManchester Monarchs (AHL)
Reading Royals (ECHL)

The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Facts

Founded: 1967
Arena: Staples Center
Former Home Arenas: Long Beach Sports Arena (part of 1967), Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (part of 1967);
The Forum (1967-1999)
Uniform colors: Purple, black, and silver
Logo design: A silver crown outlined in purple and black
Division Championships: 1 (1990-91)
Conference Championships: 1 (1992-93)
Stanley Cup Finals appearances: 1 (1992-93; lost to Montreal, 1-4)
Added in the 1967 NHL Expansion, along with the Minnesota North Stars, Oakland Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues.
Rivals: Anaheim Ducks,San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars.


  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  • Diamond, Dan. (2005). National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006. Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-57243-808-8.

Franchise History

The "Forum Blue and Gold" Years

File:Oldkingslogo.gif
LA Kings primary logo from 1967-82.

Both the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Hockey League had several teams in California, and minor pro hockey found success there in the early 1960's. There was also a sizeable colony of Canadian expatriates. However, the lack of a suitable arena in the area was the primary factor in the National Hockey League's decision before the Sixties to not expand to Los Angeles, even though it was the third-largest city in the United States.[1] The only major arena in the area, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, was certainly large enough to accommodate an NHL team, but its sight lines were inadequate.

When the NHL decided to expand for 1967-68 amidst rumblings that the Pacific Coast Hockey League was proposing to turn itself into a major league and compete for the Stanley Cup, Canadian entrepreneur Jack Kent Cooke paid the NHL $2 million to form a new team in Los Angeles as one of the expansion teams to be added for the 1967-68 NHL season, and on February 9, 1966, Cooke was awarded a new NHL franchise, behind his promise to build a new arena for his team.[2] The terms of a new television agreement with CBS called for two of the new teams to be located in California, the other being the California Seals who would represent the Bay Area.

The Kings opened the 1967-68 NHL season, their first in the NHL, at the Long Beach Arena on October 14, 1967, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2. For the next two months, the Kings played their home games at Long Beach and at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.[3]

File:Los Angeles Kings 1982.gif
LA Kings primary logo from 1982-88.
File:Kingscrownlogo.gif
LA Kings crown logo, used on their jerseys from 1967-88. The logo was based on the crown from Spanish soccer team Real Madrid.

As for the new arena, Cooke stated that the new team would play in "the most beautiful arena in the world." True to his word, the first home of the Kings, the "Fabulous Forum" in Inglewood, California, opened to rave reviews on December 30, 1967, even though the Kings were shutout by the Flyers, 2-0.[4] Cooke chose the colors of purple (or "Forum blue," as he called it) and gold for his new team; the colors had long been associated with royalty. They were also the same colors worn by the Los Angeles Lakers, which Cooke also owned.

The Kings made the Forum their home for the next 32 seasons. Players like Bill "Cowboy" Flett, Eddie "The Jet" Joyal, Eddie "The Entertainer" Shack, and Real "Frenchy" Lemieux helped introduce the Los Angeles area to the NHL in the team's first few seasons. Such player nicknames were the brainchild of owner Cooke, who felt that colorful nicknames would make hockey more user-friendly to the Southern California market. He even insisted that his radio and television commentators use the nicknames in preference to the players' given names.[5]

In their first season, the Kings finished a very respectable second place in the Western Division, just one point behind the Flyers, but would be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota North Stars in seven games.

In their second season behind head coach Red Kelly, the Kings would finish fourth in the Western Division. But after eliminating the Oakland Seals in the first round of the playoffs in seven games, the Kings were swept out of post-season play in the second round by the St. Louis Blues[6].

After two fairly successful seasons, the Kings hit hard times, mostly due to poor management, who would establish a history of trading away first-round draft picks, usually for veteran players, some of them NHL stars, on the downside of their careers.

In 1972, the Kings moved to bring some credibility back to the franchise when they hired former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bob Pulford as their head coach. It took him just two seasons to lead the Kings back into the playoffs, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in five games. Pulford would eventually lead the team to five of the most successful seasons in franchise history.[7]

In 1973, the Kings brought in Bob Miller as the team's new play-by-play announcer. He has held that post continuously since that time, and has gone on to become a Hall of Fame announcer.[8]

Despite qualifying for post-season action in the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons (eliminated in the first round in both years), the Kings finally moved to substantially upgrade their offensive firepower when they acquired center Marcel Dionne on June 23, 1975, in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings.[9]

Dionne, already a superstar in the NHL, had an immediate, resounding impact in the 1975-76 season, scoring 40 goals and adding 54 assists for 94 points in 80 regular season games. He led the Kings to a 38-33-9 record (85 points), earning them a second place finish in the James Norris division.[10]

Behind Dionne's offensive prowess, the stellar goaltending of Rogatien Vachon (better known as "Rogie"), and the speed and scoring touch of forward Butch Goring, the Kings swept the Atlanta Flames out of the first round of the playoffs, but were eliminated in second round by the Boston Bruins in seven games[11]

The Kings would beat the Flames and lose to the Bruins the following season as well.[12]

Three seasons later, the Kings had still not advanced past the second round of the playoffs. But on January 13, 1979, Dionne found himself on a new line with two young, mostly unknown players, second-year right wing Dave Taylor, and left wing Charlie Simmer, who had been a career minor-leaguer. But this line combination would go on to become one of the highest-scoring line combinations in the history of the NHL.[13]

After that first season that the "Triple Crown Line" played together, Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Kings, the Lakers, and the Forum for $67.5 million, but the Triple Crown Line remained intact.

File:Kings1980homejersey.jpg
LA Kings home jersey, circa 1980.

The next season, the Triple Crown Line dominated the NHL, scoring 146 goals and 182 assists, good for 328 points. The entire line, along with goalie Mario Lessard, was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game that season, which was played at the Forum. In that 1979-80 season, Dionne won the Art Ross Memorial Trophy for winning a NHL scoring title that season with 137 points on 53 goals and 84 assists.[14]

But even with the Triple Crown Line's ability to dominate, the Kings still could not get out of the first round of the playoffs until the 1981-82 NHL season.

That year, the Kings opened the playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers, who were led by a young, but fast-rising star by the name of Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky was only in his third year in the league, but he dominated the NHL like no other had before from the moment he stepped onto NHL ice in his rookie season. And by the 1981-82 NHL season, he was already the most dominant player in the league, and he made the Oilers one of the elite teams in the NHL, on their way to winning four Stanley Cup championships in the 1980's The Oilers finished with 114 points, the second-best record in the league. Given that background, what happened in Game 3 of the Kings' first-round playoff matchup against the vaunted Oilers was truly unbelievable.

File:Robitaillevintagehomejersey.jpg
Home jersey worn by Los Angeles Kings left wing Luc Robitaille, circa 1987.

In that game, played on April 10, 1982 at the Forum, Gretzky led the Oilers to a commanding 5-0 lead after two periods, and had the game locked up. But the Kings did not give up. They scored five unanswered goals in the third period to tie the game, and then Kings' forward Daryl Evans scored at 2:35 of overtime to win it for the Kings, 6-5.[15]

The "Miracle on Manchester," arguably one of the greatest comebacks in NHL playoff history, is the greatest moment in Kings' franchise history to date. And not only did the Kings complete a miraculous comeback against the mighty Oilers, but they also went on to eliminate the Oilers in five games.[16]

Despite Dionne's leadership, the Kings missed the playoffs the next two seasons, and were quickly swept out of the playoffs by the Oilers in the 1984-85 NHL season, when the Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup championship.[17]

Dionne's time with the Kings ended on March 10, 1987, when he was traded to the New York Rangers. But by this time, the Kings had new skaters to help lead them into the next decade, including star forwards Bernie Nicholls, Jimmy Carson, Luc Robitaille, and defensemen Steve Duchesne, and eventual Hall-of-Famer Larry Murphy.[18]

The Kings continued to be bounced out of the first round of the playoffs until 1988-89, a season that would be a big turning point for the franchise.

The Black and Silver Era

File:KingsSilver Logo.gif
LA Kings logo from 1988-98.

In 1987, Bruce McNall purchased the Kings from Buss, and he turned the team into a Stanley Cup contender almost overnight on August 9, 1988; when he acquired Wayne Gretzky in a blockbuster trade that rocked the hockey world[19], especially north of the border, where Canadians mourned the loss of a player they considered a national treasure.

In Gretzky's first season with the Kings, "The Great One" led the team in scoring with 168 points on 54 goals and 114 assists, and won his ninth Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player. He led the Kings to a second place finish in the Smythe Division with a 42-31-7 record (91 points), and they ranked fourth in the NHL overall.[20]

In the 1989 playoffs, Gretzky led the Kings to a seven-game series win against the Oilers in the first round, but the Kings were quickly swept out of the playoffs in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames.[21]

Over the next two seasons, Gretzky would lead the way, only to see his team bounced out of the playoffs in the second round by his former team, the Oilers, who won the Stanley Cup in 1990.[22]

Gretzky led the Kings to their first regular season division title in franchise history in the 1990-91 season with a 46-24-10 record (102 points, the second best point total in franchise history), but that would not be the pinnacle of his career in Los Angeles.[23]

The Kings would reach new heights in the 1992-93 NHL season, but the year started badly for the team when it was learned that Gretzky had suffered a career-threatening herniated thoracic disk before the season began. The concern was not only if Gretzky would be able to play that season, but if he would ever be able to play again.[24] But without their captain and leading scorer, the Kings got off to a blistering 20-8-3 start[25], with left wing Luc Robitaille filling in as captain for the ailing Gretzky. Robitaille led the team until Gretzky returned after missing the first 39 games.[26] (Robitaille would go on to retire at the end of the 2005-2006 season as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history).[27]

Robitaille and Gretzky, along with former Oilers' winger Jari Kurri, forwards Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom, defensemen Rob Blake and Alexei Zhitnik, and goalie Kelly Hrudey, would lead the Kings through a rough middle portion of the season until they found their game once again in the last three months of the season to qualify for post-season action. Although Gretzky came back to score 16 goals and 49 assists (65 points) in just 45 games, it was Robitaille who was the Kings' impact player that season, leading the team in scoring with 63 goals and 62 assists (125 points) in 84 regular season games, setting new NHL all-time records for goals and points scored by a left winger in a single season.[28]

Kings' head coach Barry Melrose had his team's offense running on all cylinders when the 1993 playoffs began, and they scored a whopping 33 goals in the series against the Calgary Flames[29]. In the second round, the Kings faced the heavily-favored Vancouver Canucks, a team that had beaten the Kings rather handily five times in seven games during the regular season, and had not lost to the Kings in their four meetings in Vancouver. But the Kings would go on to eliminate the Canucks in six games, with the pivotal victory coming in Game 5 at Vancouver, which was tied, 3-3 at the end of regulation play. The teams were still tied after the first overtime period, but winger Gary Shuchuk scored at 6:31 of the second overtime period, giving the Kings a 3-2 series lead, and dealing the Canucks an emotional, and as it turned out, fatal, blow.[30]

In the Campbell Conference Finals, the Kings were even more of an underdog against the Doug Gilmour-led Toronto Maple Leafs. But with Gretzky leading the team, the Kings eliminated the Leafs in a hard-fought seven game series that included two overtime games and a Game 6 win for the Kings, who were facing elimination after losing Game 5 in overtime--they trailed the Leafs in the series, 3-2.[31] In Game 6, the teams were tied, 4-4 at the end of regulation play, only to have Gretzky score in overtime to give his team a dramatic 5-4 victory, sending the teams back to Toronto for Game 7, when Gretzky scored a hat trick (three goals), and an assist to lead the Kings to a 5-4 win and a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.[32]

In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings faced the Montreal Canadiens, who breezed through the playoffs and were very well-rested. The Kings defeated the Canadiens in Game 1, 4-1.[33] They led by one goal in the waning seconds of regulation of Game 2 when Canadiens coach Jacques Demers asked the referees to check the stick of Kings enforcer Marty McSorley. The curve of the stick was too great.[34] The Canadiens scored on the resulting power play and won the game in overtime. The Kings never recovered. They lost the next two games in overtime, and were shelled 4-1 in Game 5[35] as the Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup.[36] Despite the stinging defeat at the hands of the Canadiens in the finals, Gretzky and the Kings had generated excitement about hockey and the NHL that had never been seen before in Southern California. As soon as Gretzky donned a Kings jersey, the Forum was sold out for every game--virtually overnight, a Kings game became the hottest ticket in town.

The popularity of Gretzky and the Kings also led to the NHL awarding an expansion team to Anaheim, California; in the 1993-94 NHL season, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim would become the Kings nearest rival, just 35 miles to the south[37]. Gretzky's popularity in Southern California also led to the NHL expanding into other Sun Belt cities such as Phoenix, Dallas, Tampa, Miami, and Nashville.

The next four seasons would be major disappointments, as the Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs. It was during this period that McNall's criminal activities came to light, and he would eventually be convicted of bank fraud. McNall's mismanagement put the Kings in dire financial straits, forcing the team to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy--they were even unable to meet player payroll.

While he was headed to prison, McNall sold the team to Joseph Cohen and Jeffrey Sudikoff, but even they were unable to lift the Kings out of their financial woes, and the Kings were unable to spend the money needed to bring in talent. The Kings' financial woes resulted in a roster with almost no talent outside of Gretzky and created a ripple effect for the next few years--the Kings missed the playoffs for four seasons, from 1993-94 to 1996-97, even though the team was purchased in October, 1995 by Philip Anschutz and Edward P. Roski Jr., who would lead the franchise into a new era.[38]


The Staples Center Era

File:Kings1999logo.gif
The Kings' alternate logo. (Was the teams' primary logo from 1998-2002.)

Now under the ownership of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the Kings began a rebuilding phase.[39] Meanwhile, Gretzky, who was by this time on the downside of his career, stated publicly that he wanted the team to acquire a forward capable of scoring fifty goals per season and an offensive defenseman. If they failed to do that, he wanted to be traded to a team that was a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

After all he had done for the game by that time, Gretzky probably deserved another chance to win another Stanley Cup before retirement. But his public statements forced the Kings' hand, since no team would now give them equal value in a trade because of his demands--the Kings would be at a huge disadvantage in any trade, and this would badly hurt their rebuilding program.

On February 27, 1996, The Great One was traded to the St. Louis Blues for forwards Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, a first-round pick in the 1997 draft (Matt Zultek) and a fifth-round choice in the 1996 draft (Peter Hogan).[40] None became stars for the Kings, although Gretzky himself was an unrestricted free agent by season's end, and only played 18 regular season games for the Blues.

Shortly after Gretzky was traded, the often-maligned general manager Sam McMaster was fired and was replaced by former Kings great Dave Taylor[41]. But the rebuilding phase for Taylor was a tough one, as the Kings continued to flounder--they failed to make the playoffs until the 1997-98 season.[42]

After another disappointing season in 1998-99, then head coach Larry Robinson, who also played three seasons for the Kings from 1989-1992, was not re-hired.[43]

Taylor turned to Andy Murray, who became the Kings' 19th head coach on June 14, 1999. Taylor's hiring of Murray was immediately criticized by media across North America because of Murray's perceived lack of experience--up to that point, his only head coaching experience had been at the international level with the Canadian National Team and at the US high school level. Indeed, Taylor took a gamble on Murray, hoping it would pay off.[44]

But Taylor was not finished dealing that summer. Shortly after hiring Murray, Taylor acquired star right wing Zigmund Palffy and veteran center Bryan Smolinski on June 20, 1999, in exchange for center prospect Olli Jokinen, forward prospect Josh Green, defenseman prospect Mathieu Biron and the Kings' first-round pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. [45]

Staples Center, viewed from Figueroa Street, the southeast side of the arena.

The Kings also made an even bigger move in the 1999-2000 NHL season, as they left the Great Western Forum and moved to Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, which was built by Anschutz and Roski.[46]

Staples Center was a state-of-the-art arena, complete with luxury suites and all the modern amenities that fans and athletes wanted in a new facility.

With a new home, a new head coach, a potential 50-goal scorer in the fold, and players such as Rob Blake, Luc Robitaille, * Glen Murray, Jozef Stumpel, Donald Audette, Ian Laperriere, and Mattias Norstrom, the Kings improved dramatically, finishing the season the 1999-2000 season with a 39-31-12-4 record (94 points), good for second place in the Pacific Division.[47]

But in the 2000 playoffs, the Kings were once again eliminated in the first round, this time by the mighty Detroit Red Wings in a four-game sweep. Clearly, the Kings were still not one of the NHL's elite teams, capable of contending for the Stanley Cup.[48]

The 2000-01 season was a controversial one, as fans began to question AEG's commitment to the success of the Kings, as they failed to significantly improve the team during the off-season. Adding fuel to the fire was the February 21, 2001 trade of star defenseman Rob Blake, who won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in the 1997-98 NHL season.[49]

In that deal, the Kings sent Blake and forward Steven Reinprecht to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for right wing Adam Deadmarsh, defenseman Aaron Miller, center prospect Jared Aulin and a first-round pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft (Dave Steckel).[50]

Deadmarsh and Miller became impact players for the Kings, who finished the 2000-01 season with a 38-28-13-3 record (92 points), good for a third place finish in the Pacific Division and another first-round playoff date with the still-mighty Detroit Red Wings.[51]

The heavily-favored Red Wings--many predicted a four-game sweep--made easy work of the Kings in Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, but the Kings got back in the series with a 2-1 win in Game 3 at Staples Center.[52]

File:Kings2003homejersey.jpg
Home jersey worn by the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings from 2003-present.

In Game 4, played on April 18, 2001, the Red Wings took a commanding 3-0 lead after two periods, seemingly restoring order to a series they were supposed to win easily. And in the third period, it looked like nothing would change. But all that set the stage for yet another unbelievable playoff comeback for the Kings, highly reminiscent of the "Miracle on Manchester," back in 1982.

Seldom-used forward Scott Thomas, a career minor-leaguer, scored a power play goal at 13:53, to give the Kings a bit of life. Jozef Stumpel would follow with another power play goal at 17:33, and then Bryan Smolinski tied the game at the 19:07 mark.

And in overtime, Deadmarsh stole the puck from Red Wings' star defenseman Chris Chelios in the right corner, and threw a centering pass to center Eric Belanger, who scored the game-winning goal at 2:36 to lift the Kings to a miraculous come-from-behind win, now known as the "Frenzy On Figueroa."[53]

File:Kings2003roadjersey.jpg
Road jersey worn by the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings from 2003-present.

The amazing win by the Kings in Game 4 took all the wind out of the Red Wings' sails, and the Kings eliminated them in Game 6 in Los Angeles, having won four straight games after going down 2-0 in the series. It was the Kings' first playoff series win since 1993.[54]

In the second round, the Kings went up against another elite team, the Colorado Avalanche, led by superstars like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy, and of course, Rob Blake. The Kings took the eventual Stanley Cup champions to seven games.[55][56]

The 2001-02 NHL season was started off with tragedy as team scouts Garnet "Ace" Bailey and Mark Bavis were both casualties of the September 11th attack.[57] The team honored the two by wearing "AM" patches on their jerseys. Earlier in the season, the team acquired Jason Allison who was involved in a contract dispute along with Mikko Eloranta from the Boston Bruins in return for Jozef Stumpel and * Glen Murray.[58] At midseason they held the 2002 NHL All-Star Game[59] while still fighting for a playoff spot in which they clinched seventh place in the Western Conference where they were matched with the heavily favored Colorado Avalanche. After being bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by the Avalanche, the next two seasons would be major disappointments, as the team failed to make the playoffs in both seasons.[60]

But even though the Kings refused to use it as an excuse, injuries were the primary reason for the team's failures. In the 2002-03 NHL season, the Kings just missed breaking the unofficial NHL record for the most man-games lost to injury in a season with 536. But they would easily surpass the record in the 2003-04 NHL season with 629 man-games lost.

File:Kings20033rdjersey.gif
Alternate (third) jersey worn by the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings from 2003-present.

The Kings' 2004-05 NHL season was lost due to labor strife between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players Union.

League play resumed for 2005-2006 and saw the Kings acquire Valeri Bure, Jeremy Roenick and Pavol Demitra.[61] Los Angeles began the new season strongly challenging for the Western Conference title. However, the second half of the season saw the Kings once again stumble badly, freefalling from second in the Western Conference in early January to tenth place.[62]

At the trade deadline, the Kings added another goal scorer in the New York Islanders, Mark Parrish, along with defenseman Brent Sopel[63] , and they fired head coach Andy Murray on March 21, 2006[64], replacing him with interim head coach John Torchetti,[65] but the moves failed to jump start the team, as they continued their losing ways. With three games left in the season, Luc Robitaille, the team's all-time leading scorer and the NHL's all-time highest-scoring left winger, announced that, at the end of the year, he would be retiring from pro hockey.[66]

Just one day after the end of the Kings' 2005-06 regular season, AEG decided to clean house on April 18, 2006, and they relieved President/Hockey Operations and General Manager Dave Taylor of his duties, along with Director of Player Personnel Bill O'Flaherty. Interim head coach John Torchetti and assistant coaches Mark Hardy and Ray Bennett, along with goaltending consultant Andy Nowicki were also fired, and Vice President and Assistant General Manager Kevin Gilmore was re-assigned to other duties within AEG. Kings CEO Tim Leiweke also announced that he will no longer be the team's Chief Executive Officer.[67]

On April 21, 2006, the Kings signed Philadelphia Flyers scout and former San Jose Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi as their new President and General Manager. He was signed to a five-year contract, signaling big changes in the near future for the franchise.[68]

Soon after he was hired, Lombardi quickly began to revamp the Kings' hockey operations and just barely over one month into his tenure as President and General Manager, he hired Marc Crawford to be the Kings' 21st head coach on May 22, 2006.[69]

Crawford, 45, who was fired as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks on April 25, 2006, left the Canucks as their all-time leader in regular season wins with 246 (246-197-94).[70] Crawford began his NHL coaching career with the Quebec Nordiques in 1994, and went on to win the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. Crawford also coached Team Canada in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.

In twelve seasons as an NHL head coach, Crawford has a 411-285-127 (103 ties) regular season record, and a 43-40 mark in the post-season.[71]

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses/Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1967-68 74 31 33 10 -- 72 200 224 810 2nd in West Lost in 1st round
1968-69 76 24 42 10 -- 57 185 260 698 4th in West Lost in 2nd round
1969-70 76 14 52 10 -- 38 168 290 969 6th in West Out of playoffs
1970-71 78 25 40 13 -- 63 239 303 775 5th in West Out of playoffs
1971-72 78 20 49 9 -- 49 206 305 719 7th in West Out of playoffs
1972-73 78 31 36 11 -- 73 232 245 888 6th in West Out of playoffs
1973-74 78 33 33 12 -- 78 233 231 1055 3rd in West Lost in 1st round
1974-75 80 42 17 21 -- 105 269 185 1185 2nd in Norris Lost in 1st round
1975-76 80 38 33 9 -- 85 263 265 1022 2nd in Norris Lost in 2nd round
1976-77 80 34 31 15 -- 83 271 241 1186 2nd in Norris Lost in 2nd round
1977-78 80 31 34 15 -- 77 243 245 903 3rd in Norris Lost in 1st round
1978-79 80 34 34 12 -- 80 292 286 1134 3rd in Norris Lost in 1st round
1979-80 80 30 36 14 -- 74 290 313 1124 2nd in Norris Lost in 1st round
1980-81 80 43 24 13 -- 99 337 290 1627 2nd in Norris Lost in 1st round
1981-82 80 24 41 15 -- 63 314 369 1730 4th in Smythe Lost in 2nd round
1982-83 80 27 41 12 -- 66 308 365 1627 5th in Smythe Out of playoffs
1983-84 80 23 44 13 -- 59 309 376 1265 5th in Smythe Out of playoffs
1984-85 80 34 32 14 -- 82 339 326 1413 4th in Smythe Lost in 1st round
1985-86 80 23 49 8 -- 54 284 389 2004 5th in Smythe Out of playoffs
1986-87 80 31 41 8 -- 70 318 341 2038 4th in Smythe Lost in 1st round
1987-88 80 30 42 8 -- 68 318 359 2124 4th in Smythe Lost in 1st round
1988-89 80 42 31 7 -- 91 376 335 2215 2nd in Smythe Lost in 2nd round
1989-90 80 34 39 7 -- 75 338 337 1884 4th in Smythe Lost in 2nd round
1990-91 80 46 24 10 -- 102 340 254 2228 1st in Smythe Lost in 2nd round
1991-92 80 35 31 14 -- 84 287 296 2161 2nd in Smythe Lost in 1st round
1992-93 84 39 35 10 -- 88 338 340 2247 3rd in Smythe Lost in Stanley Cup finals
1993-94 84 27 45 12 -- 66 294 322 2017 5th in Pacific Out of playoffs
1994-951 48 16 23 9 -- 41 142 174 978 4th in Pacific Out of playoffs
1995-96 82 24 40 18 -- 66 256 302 1460 6th in Pacific Out of playoffs
1996-97 82 28 43 11 -- 67 214 268 1638 6th in Pacific Out of playoffs
1997-98 82 38 33 11 -- 87 227 225 1763 2nd in Pacific Lost in 1st round
1998-99 82 32 45 5 -- 69 189 222 1383 5th in Pacific Out of playoffs
1999-00 82 39 27 12 4 94 245 228 1313 2nd in Pacific Lost in 1st round
2000-01 82 38 28 13 3 92 252 228 1196 3rd in Pacific Lost in 2nd round
2001-02 82 40 27 11 4 95 214 190 1348 3rd in Pacific Lost in 1st round
2002-03 82 33 37 6 6 78 203 221 1146 3rd in Pacific Out of playoffs
2003-04 82 28 29 16 9 81 205 217 1163 3rd in Pacific Out of playoffs
2004-052 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2005-06 82 42 35 -- 5 89 249 270 1440 4th in Pacific Out of Playoffs


1 Season was shortened due to the 1994-95 NHL lockout.
2 Season was cancelled due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  • Diamond, Dan. (2005). National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006. Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-57243-808-8.
  • "2005-2005 Regular Season Standings". Retrieved July 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

Notable players

Current squad

As of July 13, 2006 [1] Click On Team; Click On Your Kings

Goaltenders
Number Player Catches Acquired Place of Birth
31 Canada Mathieu Garon[72] R 2004 Chandler, Quebec
35 Canada Jason LaBarbera L 2005 Prince George, British Columbia
- Canada Dan Cloutier[73] L 2006 Mont-Laurier, Quebec
Defensemen
Number Player Shoots Acquired Place of Birth
3 United States Aaron Miller - A R 2001 Buffalo, New York
4 Canada Rob Blake[74] R 2006 Simcoe, Ontario
5 Canada Brent Sopel[75] R 2006 Calgary, Alberta
14 Sweden Mattias Norström - C[76] L 1996 Stockholm, Sweden
17 Slovakia Lubomir Visnovsky L 2000 Topoľčany, Czechoslovakia
42 United States Tim Gleason L 2003 Southfield, Michigan
43 Canada Mike Weaver[77] R 2004 Bramalea, Ontario
- Canada Kevin Dallman[78] R 2006 Niagara Falls, Ontario
Forwards
Number Player Shoots Position Acquired Place of Birth
7 Canada Derek Armstrong R C 2002 Ottawa, Ontario
13 Canada Michael Cammalleri L C/RW 2001 Richmond Hill, Ontario
15 Canada Jeff Cowan[79] L LW/RW 2004 Scarborough, Ontario
19 Canada Sean Avery L C/LW 2003 Pickering, Ontario
22 United States Craig Conroy - A R C 2004 Potsdam, New York
23 United States Dustin Brown R RW/LW 2003 Ithaca, New York
24 Russia Alexander Frolov R LW 2000 Moscow, U.S.S.R.
25 Canada Eric Belanger[80] L C 1996 Sherbrooke, Quebec
29 Canada Tom Kostopoulos R RW 2005 Mississauga, Ontario
36 United States Raitis Ivanans[81] L LW 2006 Riga, USSR
39 United States Noah Clarke L LW 1999 LaVerne, California
40 Canada Matt Ryan R C 2004 Sharon, Ontario
48 Czech Republic Petr Kanko L LW 2002 Pribram, Czechoslovakia
49 Canada Ryan Flinn R RW 2002 Halifax, Nova Scotia
53 United States Jeff Giuliano L LW 2005 Nashua, New Hampshire
57 United States George Parros R RW 1999 Washington, Pennsylvania
64 United States Patrick O'Sullivan[82] L C 2006 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Canada Scott Thornton[83] L LW 2006 London, Ontario
- Canada Alyn McCauley[84] L C/RW 2006 Brockville, Ontario
_ Canada Brian Willsie[85] R RW 2006 London, Ontario


Team captains

  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  • Diamond, Dan. (2005). National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006. Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-57243-808-8.

Hall of Famers

Non players:

  • Former head coach Roger Neilson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 4, 2002, in the Builders category.[86]
  • Former general manager Jake Milford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.[87]
  • The Kings' first broadcaster, Jiggs McDonald, was also a recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, earning him induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.[90]


Retired numbers

including date of retirement


  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.

First round draft picks


  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in the history of the Kings. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season. Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Player POS GP G A Pts
Marcel Dionne C 921 550 757 1307
Luc Robitaille LW 1079 557 597 1154
Dave Taylor RW 1111 431 638 1069
Wayne Gretzky C 539 246 672 918
Bernie Nicholls C 602 327 431 758
Butch Goring C 736 275 384 659
Jim Fox RW 578 186 293 479
Charlie Simmer LW 384 222 244 466
Mike Murphy RW 673 194 263 457
Rob Blake D 662 138 291 429
  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.

NHL Awards and Trophies

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Hart Memorial Trophy

Lester B. Pearson Award

Art Ross Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Calder Memorial Trophy

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

NHL Plus/Minus Award

King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Lester Patrick Trophy


Los Angeles Kings Individual Records


  • Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. pp. 154-155., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.


General Managers

File:Reading Royals.gif
Logo of the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League, circa 2005.


  • Diamond, Dan. (2005). National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006. p. 74., Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-57243-808-8.

Minor League Affiliates

File:Monarchslogo.gif
Logo of the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, circa 2005.

See also

References/Footnotes

  1. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (1997). Los Angeles Kings 1997-98 Media Guide. p. 4., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  2. ^ Ibid.
  3. ^ Ibid.
  4. ^ Ibid.
  5. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 6., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  6. ^ Ibid.
  7. ^ Ibid.
  8. ^ Ibid, p. 21.
  9. ^ Ibid, p. 6.
  10. ^ Ibid.
  11. ^ Ibid, p. 210.
  12. ^ Ibid.
  13. ^ Ibid, p.6.
  14. ^ Ibid.
  15. ^ Ibid. p. 7.
  16. ^ Ibid.
  17. ^ *Diamond, Dan. (2005). National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006. p. 248., Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-57243-808-8.
  18. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 7., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  19. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 7., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  20. ^ Ibid.
  21. ^ Ibid, p. 210.
  22. ^ Ibid.
  23. ^ Ibid, p. 7.
  24. ^ *Sadowski, Rick. (1993). Los Angeles Kings: Hockeywood. p. 7., Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 0-915611-87-2.
  25. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 196., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  26. ^ *Sadowski, Rick. (1993). Los Angeles Kings: Hockeywood. p. 29., Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 0-915611-87-2.
  27. ^ *"Kings All-Time Great Left Wing Luc Robitaille Announces His Retirement" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-04-11. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 196., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  29. ^ *Sadowski, Rick. (1993). Los Angeles Kings: Hockeywood. p. 145., Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 0-915611-87-2.
  30. ^ Ibid., p. 161.
  31. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 211., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  32. ^ *Sadowski, Rick. (1993). Los Angeles Kings: Hockeywood. p. 192., Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 0-915611-87-2.
  33. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 211., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  34. ^ *Sadowski, Rick. (1993). Los Angeles Kings: Hockeywood. p. 213., Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 0-915611-87-2.
  35. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 211., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  36. ^ *"Stanley Cup Champions And Finalists". Retrieved July 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ *Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. (2003). Mighty Ducks 2003-04 Media Guide. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. ISBN.
  38. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 7., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  39. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 7., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  40. ^ Ibid., p. 159.
  41. ^ Ibid., pp. 7, 14.
  42. ^ Ibid., p. 211.
  43. ^ Ibid., p. 7.
  44. ^ Ibid., pp. 7, 18.
  45. ^ Ibid., p. 7.
  46. ^ Ibid., p. 8.
  47. ^ Ibid., p. 203.
  48. ^ Ibid., p. 211.
  49. ^ Ibid., p. 8.
  50. ^ Ibid., p. 160.
  51. ^ Ibid., p. 205.
  52. ^ Ibid., p. 211.
  53. ^ Ibid., p. 8.
  54. ^ Ibid., p. 211.
  55. ^ Ibid., p. 211.
  56. ^ *Diamond, Dan. (2005). National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006. p. 248., Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-57243-808-8.
  57. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2001). Los Angeles Kings Media Guide 2001-2002. p. 1.,Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  58. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 160., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  59. ^ *Diamond, Dan. (2003). Total NHL: The Ultimate Source On The National Hockey League. p. 420.,Triumph Books: Printing Press. ISBN 1-572436-04-2.
  60. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 211., Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  61. ^ Ibid., pp. 30, 38, 50.
  62. ^ *"2005-2006 Regular Season Standings". Retrieved July 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  63. ^ *"Kings Acquire Parrish, Sopel From Islanders" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-03-08. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ *"Kings Relieve Murray, Van Boxmeer Of Coaching Duties" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-03-21. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  65. ^ Ibid.
  66. ^ *"Kings All-Time Great Left Wing Luc Robitaille Announces His Retirement" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-04-11. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  67. ^ *(Press Releases Link) "Kings President/General Manager Dave Taylor Rellieved Of His Duties" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  68. ^ *"Kings Hire Dean Lombardi As President & General Manager" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-04-21. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  69. ^ *"Marc Crawford Becomes Kings 21st Head Coach" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-05-22. Retrieved 2006-05-22. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  70. ^ *"Crawford Relieved Of Coaching Duties By Vancouver Canucks" (Press release). Vancouver Canucks Communications Department. 2006-04-25. Retrieved 2006-05-22. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ *"Marc Crawford Becomes Kings 21st Head Coach" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-05-22. Retrieved 2006-05-22. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  72. ^ *"Kings Re-sign Goalie Mathieu Garon" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-17. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  73. ^ *"Kings Acquire Goaltender Dan Cloutier From Vancouver" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-05. Retrieved 2006-07-05. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  74. ^ *"Kings Welcome Back Veteran All-Star Defenseman Rob Blake To Los Angeles" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-01. Retrieved 2006-07-01. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  75. ^ *"Kings Acquire Parrish, Sopel From Islanders" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-03-08. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  76. ^ *"Kings Agree On Two-Year Contract With Norstrom" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  77. ^ *"Kings Re-Sign Defenseman Mike Weaver To One-Year Deal" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-07. Retrieved 2006-07-02. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ *"Kings Sign Defenseman Buckley, Dallman" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  79. ^ *"Kings Exercise Option On Jeff Cowan" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  80. ^ *"Kings Re-sign Center Eric Belanger" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-19. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  81. ^ *"Kings Sign Forward Raitis Ivanans" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  82. ^ *"Kings Trade Demitra For O'Sullivan, Lewis" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-06-26. Retrieved 2006-06-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  83. ^ *"Kings Sign Free Agent Forward Scott Thornton" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-01. Retrieved 2006-07-01. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  84. ^ *"Kings Sign Free Agent Forward Alyn McCauley" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-02. Retrieved 2006-07-02. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  85. ^ *"Kings Sign Forward Brian Willsie" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-07-04. Retrieved 2006-07-04. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  86. ^ *"Legends of Hockey -- The Legends -- Honoured Builder -- Neilson, Roger". Retrieved July 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  87. ^ *"Legends of Hockey -- The Legends -- Honoured Builder -- Milford, Jake". Retrieved July 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  88. ^ *"Legends of Hockey -- The Legends -- Media Honourees -- Foster Hewitt Memorial Award Winners". Retrieved June 6. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  89. ^ *Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. (2005). 2005-06 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide. p. 21.,Los Angeles Kings. ISBN.
  90. ^ Ibid.
  91. ^ *"Kings Select Jonathan Bernier With First Pick" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-06-26. Retrieved 2006-06-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  92. ^ *"Kings Trade Demitra For O'Sullivan, Lewis" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-06-26. Retrieved 2006-06-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  93. ^ *"Kings Hire Dean Lombardi As President & General Manager" (Press release). Los Angeles Kings Communications Department. 2006-04-21. Retrieved 2006-04-21. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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