Los Angeles Kings
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Quick Kings Facts
Here are some notable events in the Kings' history.
- Late Canadian-born entrepreneur Jack Kent Cooke owned the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association and was driven to bring hockey and the National Hockey League, his sport and his passion, to the left coast. Wanting his new hockey team to take on a regal air, Cooke named his team the "Kings" and they kicked off play during the 1967-68 season.
- 1979: Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Kings, Lakers and Forum from Cooke for $67.5 million, the largest business transaction in sports history at that time.
- January 7, 1981: Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings scores his 1,000th point against Hartford.
- 1988: The Kings acquire Edmonton center, Wayne Gretzky. He set team records for points on his way to earning the NHL's most valuable player award in just his first year in Los Angeles.
Current Management
Here is a quick look at who currently manages the Kings.
- Owners: Philip F. Anschutz and Edward P. Roski, Jr.
- President: Tim Lewieke
- Vice President/General Manager: Dave Taylor
- Head Coach Andy Murray, 1998 to present
Hockey Hall of Famers
Here is a list of inductees who have either played for or helped to manage the Kings.
- Marcel Elphege Dionne - Inducted 1992, Played 18 NHL seasons from 1971 to 1989. Played 75-86 with the Kings.
- Wayne Douglas Gretzky - Inducted 1999. Played 20 NHL seasons from 1979 to 1999. Played 88-96 with the Kings.
- Henry Vernon (Harry) Howell - Inducted 1979. Played 25 professional seasons from 1951 to 1976. Played 70-71, 71-72, 72-73 with the Kings.
- Leonard Patrick (Red) Kelly - Inducted 1969. Played 20 NHL seasons from 1947 to 1967. 67-68 as management with the Kings.
- Jari Pekka Kurri - Inducted 2001. Played 17 NHL seasons from 1980 to 1998. Played 91-92, 92-93, 93-94, 94-95, 95-96 with the Kings.
- Robert Jesse (Bob) Pulford Inducted 1991. Played 16 NHL seasons from 1956 to 1972. Played 70-71, 71-72 with the Kings. 72-73 as management.
- Larry Robinson - Inducted 1995. Played 20 NHL seasons from 1972 to 1992. Played 89-90, 90-91, 91-92 with the Kings. 95-98 as management.
- Terrance Gordon (Terry) Sawchuk - Inducted 1971. Played 21 NHL seasons from 1949 to 1970. Played 67-68 with the Kings.
- Stephen John Shutt - Inducted 1993. Played 14 NHL seasons from 1972 to 1985. Played 84-85 with the Kings.
- William (Bill) John Smith - Inducted 1993. Played 18 NHL seasons from 1971 to 1989. 71-71 with the Kings.
Notables
Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer : Known collectively as the "Triple Crown Line", the trio played together as a line the last time the NHL All-Star Game was held in Los Angeles in 1981. Dionne, Taylor and Simmer were Los Angeles Kings' linemates for nine seasons, beginning in 1978.
Retired Numbers
- #16 - Marcel Dionne
- #18 - Dave Taylor
- #30 - Rogatien Vachon
- #99 - Wayne Gretzky (NHL)
Stanley Cup History
Overall playoff record: 65-105
In 1968, the Kings lost to Minnesota in the quarterfinals, 4-3. The La Kings have only played in one Stanley Cup Final - 1993. They lost to Montreal 4-1. Even with Wayne Gretzky, the Kings have never won a Stanley Cup.
Wayne Gretzky
On the ice, Gretzky, known simply as "The Great One," set team records for points on his way to earning the NHL's most valuable player award in just his first year in Los Angeles. Throughout his career as a King, Gretzky continued his torrid scoring pace, including his assault on the NHL's all-time goal and point records, and the team made its first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993.
Home of the LA Kings
Opened in 1967 as The Fabulous Forum, 1999 saw its revival as the Staples Center. STAPLES Center is the home for five professional sports franchises - the Kings, the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Clippers, the AFL's Los Angeles Avengers and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
General Information
Official Website: www.lakings.com
Staples Center
- 1111 S. Figueroa Street
- Los Angeles, CA 90015
- General Information/Tickets: (213) 742-7100
- Website: www.staplescenter.com
If you are in town for one of the L.A Kings' hometown games, then rent a car with us to get to Staples Center. Be there before the first puck drops so you get in on all of the fun!