July 29, 2011
by Gann Matsuda
FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: The Los Angeles Kings have more than twenty people—players, coaches, general managers and broadcasters—who have gained entry to the hallowed halls of the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are also two other members of the Kings family who have been so honored, including former head athletic trainer Pete Demers. But because of how they are recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame, Demers has been honored in almost complete obscurity, as have fellow athletic trainer and equipment manager honorees. In the final installment of this series on Demers’ career, Frozen Royalty looks at the honor, and what Demers is doing to ensure that future athletic trainers and equipment managers will get to enjoy that bit of the spotlight they deserve.
Los Angeles Kings retired head athletic trainer Pete Demers, circa 2003.
Photo: Demers Family Collection
LOS ANGELES — Fifteen players who have worn the jersey of the
Los Angeles Kings have been inducted into the hallowed halls of the
Hockey Hall of Fame. Three people inducted in the Builders category also spent time with the Kings organization, and one former head coach,
Red Kelly, was inducted as a player, for a total of 19 people affiliated with the Kings who have become honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
In addition, former Kings broadcaster John Kenneth “Jiggs” McDonald, the team’s original play-by-play announcer, and the legendary “Voice of the Kings,” long-time television play-by-play announcer Bob Miller, are media honorees.
But hardly anyone knows that the Kings have two additional people from their family who have earned a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
One is Norm Mackie, who served as the head athletic trainer from their inaugural 1967-68 season through 1971-72. Read more of this post
