Los Angeles Kings: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
The [[Pacific Coast Hockey League]] had many teams in the southern [[California]] area, and minor pro hockey found success there. However, the lack of a major arena in the area was the main factor in the NHL's decision to not expand to [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]. When the PCHL threatened to turn itself into a major league and compete for the [[Stanley Cup]], the [[Canada|Canadian]] enterpreneur [[Jack Kent Cooke]] paid the NHL $2 million to form a new team in Los Angeles, as part of the [[Expansion six]]. As for the 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 [[Great Western Forum|Forum]]" in [[Inglewood, California]], opened to rave reviews. |
The [[Pacific Coast Hockey League]] had many teams in the southern [[California]] area, and minor pro hockey found success there. However, the lack of a major arena in the area was the main factor in the NHL's decision to not expand to [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]. When the PCHL threatened to turn itself into a major league and compete for the [[Stanley Cup]], the [[Canada|Canadian]] enterpreneur [[Jack Kent Cooke]] paid the NHL $2 million to form a new team in Los Angeles, as part of the [[Expansion six]]. As for the 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 [[Great Western Forum|Forum]]" in [[Inglewood, California]], opened to rave reviews. |
||
Although the Kings were initially very successful in their first year, finishing one point out of first place in a very weak Western Division, they would become plagued by mismanagement. The team would finish last in the NHL in 1969-70. The Kings would return to the playoffs in 1973-74, and would finish with an impressive 42-17-21 record the next year. The Kings had still not won a playoff sereis by this point. The arrival of [[Marcel Dionne]] from the [[Detroit Red Wings]] would give them the boost they needed to win their first playoff series, even though their season point total dropped from 105 to 85. After disppatching the [[Atlanta Flames]] in two games, they were beaten in seven games by the [[Boston Bruins]]. They would beat the Flames and lose to the Bruins the following season as well. The Kings would exit the playoffs in the first round every year until 1981-82 after they were relocated to the Smythe Divison. The 24-41-15 Kings upset the 48-17-15[[Edmonton Oilers]], who were so dominant that they were the only winning team in the Smythe Division, three games to two, before losing to the [[Vancouver Canucks]]. The Kings didn't make the playoffs again, until 1984-85 when the Oilers swept them in three games on their way to the [[Stanley Cup]]. Dionne was traded in the 1986-87 season, and the Oilers beat the Kings four games to one in 1986-87 playoffs. The Kings lost in the first round of the 1987-88 playoffs to the [[Calgary Flames]]. The team had yet to win a best-of-seven playoff series, or advance past the second round in their history. |
|||
Although the Kings were initially very successful, largely due to a very weak Western Division, the Kings would be plagued by mismanagement, finishing lower than state rivals (and perennial doormats) the [[California Seals]] in one season. Although the Kings would return to contend for a playoff spot, they still lacked a star player. Enter [[Marcel Dionne]]. |
|||
==Black and Silver Era== |
|||
[[Bruce McNall]] who had bought the team in [[1987]], would turn the Kings from perennial failures into Cup contenders on [[August 9]], [[1988]] when he acquired [[Wayne Gretzky]] in exchange for for $15 million, [[Jimmy Carson]], [[Martin Gelinas]], several first-round draft choices. The Los Angeles Kings would debut a black and silver uniform modelled on the [[Los Angeles Raiders]]. The Kings had the league's top offense and finished fourth in the league in 1988-89, while Gretzky won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as league MVP for turning the team around with his team record 168 points. They would overcome a 3-1 series deficit to the Oilers in the team's first best-of-seven playoff victory. The Kings were swept by the Flames in round two. The Kings beat the Flames and were swept by the Oilers the following season's playoffs, and were eliminated by Edmonton in 1990-91, and 1991-92 as well. |
|||
In 1992-93, the Kings advanced past the second round for the first time in club history. After the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] surged to a 3-2 series lead, Gretzky scored an overtime goal to win Game 6 and had a [[hat trick]] in Game 7 to lead the Kings to their first [[Stanley Cup Finals]].[[Image:LAKings1993celebration.jpg|frame|The 92-93 Kings celebrate with the [[Clarence S. Campbell Bowl]]]] |
|||
In the Finals, the [[Montreal Canadiens]] beat the Kings three times in overtime and set a playoff record for most playoff wins. Gretzky finished the playoffs with an astounding 40 points, easily a team record. Both teams missed the playoffs the following year, and the Kings would not contend for a playoff spot for the next three seasons. The Kings would trade Gretzky to the [[St. Louis Blues]] for [[Roman Vopat]], [[Craig Johnson]], [[Patrice Tardif]] and two first round draft picks. |
|||
==Recent Years== |
|||
After the Gretzky trade, the Kings didn't win a playoff game until 2001. They have yet to win a playoff series. |
|||
| Line 99: | Line 112: | ||
[[sv:Los Angeles Kings]] |
[[sv:Los Angeles Kings]] |
||
[[de:Los Angeles Kings]] |
[[de:Los Angeles Kings]] |
||
==External Limks== |
|||
[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/rewind/2005-04-20-hockey-rewind_x.htm#kings USA Today's Franchise History] |
|||
[www.lakings.com Team Website] |
|||
Revision as of 21:54, 12 June 2005
| Los Angeles Kings | |
| Los Angeles Kings | |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Home ice | Staples Center |
| Based in | Los Angeles |
| Colours | Purple, black, silver |
| League | National Hockey League |
| Head coach | Andy Murray |
| General manager | Dave Taylor |
| Owners | Philip F. Anschutz and Edward P. Roski, Jr. |
The Los Angeles Kings are a National Hockey League team based in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Founded: 1967
- Arena: Staples Center
- Uniform colors: Purple, black, and silver
- Logo design: A silver crown outlined in purple
- Stanley Cups won:
Franchise history
The Pacific Coast Hockey League had many teams in the southern California area, and minor pro hockey found success there. However, the lack of a major arena in the area was the main factor in the NHL's decision to not expand to Los Angeles. When the PCHL threatened to turn itself into a major league and compete for the Stanley Cup, the Canadian enterpreneur Jack Kent Cooke paid the NHL $2 million to form a new team in Los Angeles, as part of the Expansion six. As for the 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.
Although the Kings were initially very successful in their first year, finishing one point out of first place in a very weak Western Division, they would become plagued by mismanagement. The team would finish last in the NHL in 1969-70. The Kings would return to the playoffs in 1973-74, and would finish with an impressive 42-17-21 record the next year. The Kings had still not won a playoff sereis by this point. The arrival of Marcel Dionne from the Detroit Red Wings would give them the boost they needed to win their first playoff series, even though their season point total dropped from 105 to 85. After disppatching the Atlanta Flames in two games, they were beaten in seven games by the Boston Bruins. They would beat the Flames and lose to the Bruins the following season as well. The Kings would exit the playoffs in the first round every year until 1981-82 after they were relocated to the Smythe Divison. The 24-41-15 Kings upset the 48-17-15Edmonton Oilers, who were so dominant that they were the only winning team in the Smythe Division, three games to two, before losing to the Vancouver Canucks. The Kings didn't make the playoffs again, until 1984-85 when the Oilers swept them in three games on their way to the Stanley Cup. Dionne was traded in the 1986-87 season, and the Oilers beat the Kings four games to one in 1986-87 playoffs. The Kings lost in the first round of the 1987-88 playoffs to the Calgary Flames. The team had yet to win a best-of-seven playoff series, or advance past the second round in their history.
Black and Silver Era
Bruce McNall who had bought the team in 1987, would turn the Kings from perennial failures into Cup contenders on August 9, 1988 when he acquired Wayne Gretzky in exchange for for $15 million, Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, several first-round draft choices. The Los Angeles Kings would debut a black and silver uniform modelled on the Los Angeles Raiders. The Kings had the league's top offense and finished fourth in the league in 1988-89, while Gretzky won the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP for turning the team around with his team record 168 points. They would overcome a 3-1 series deficit to the Oilers in the team's first best-of-seven playoff victory. The Kings were swept by the Flames in round two. The Kings beat the Flames and were swept by the Oilers the following season's playoffs, and were eliminated by Edmonton in 1990-91, and 1991-92 as well.
In 1992-93, the Kings advanced past the second round for the first time in club history. After the Toronto Maple Leafs surged to a 3-2 series lead, Gretzky scored an overtime goal to win Game 6 and had a hat trick in Game 7 to lead the Kings to their first Stanley Cup Finals.
In the Finals, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Kings three times in overtime and set a playoff record for most playoff wins. Gretzky finished the playoffs with an astounding 40 points, easily a team record. Both teams missed the playoffs the following year, and the Kings would not contend for a playoff spot for the next three seasons. The Kings would trade Gretzky to the St. Louis Blues for Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif and two first round draft picks.
Recent Years
After the Gretzky trade, the Kings didn't win a playoff game until 2001. They have yet to win a playoff series.
Players of Note
- Wayne Gretzky
- Marcel Dionne
- Larry Robinson
- Jari Kurri
- Larry Murphy
- Terry Sawchuk
- Paul Coffey
- Bob Pulford
- Steve Shutt
Current stars:
Not to be forgotten:
- Rob Blake
- Jim Fox
- Charlie Simmer
- Bob Berry
- Mike Corrigan
- Steve Duchesne
- Butch Goring
- Mike Murphy
- Marty McSorley
- Kelly Hrudey
- Bernie Nicholls
- Jay Wells
- Mark Hardy
- Juha Widing
Retired Numbers:
- 30 Rogie Vachon
- 16 Marcel Dionne
- 18 Dave Taylor
- 99 Wayne Gretzky
Team Records
Most Goals, Single Season
- Bernie Nicholls, 1988-89: 70
Most Assists, Single Season
- Wayne Gretzky, 1990-91: 122
Most Points, Single Season
- Wayne Gretzky, 1988-89: 168
Most PIM, Single Season
- Marty McSorley, 1992-93: 399*
- Dave Schulz had 405 PIM in 77-78, but split the season with the Penguins.
Los Angeles Kings official web site
| |||||||||
External Limks
[www.lakings.com Team Website]