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Former LA Kings Forward Mike Corrigan Talks Hot Knives, Hat Tricks and…Bedpans?

November 16, 2016 by 1 Comment

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: As reported in part 1 of this two-part story, former Los Angeles Kings forward Mike Corrigan—one of the original Kings from the 1967-68 team—who played in 401 regular season games with the Kings, has a lot of fond memories of playing for the fledgling National Hockey League franchise during the 1970’s. He shared some of them, along with some thoughts about how the franchise has evolved, exclusively with Frozen Royalty. Part 2 of a two-part series.

Former Los Angeles Kings forward Mike Corrigan (left), shown here
in a game against the Boston Bruins during the 1969-70 season.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo:Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES — During the Los Angeles Kings’ 2016-17 home opener weekend in October, they honored their 1967-68 team—the original Kings—as part of their year-long 50th Anniversary commemoration. Among the 13 former players who were able to attend was forward Mike Corrigan, whose best years in the National Hockey League came while wearing the Forum Blue and Gold jersey of the Kings.

“It was great to play here,” he said. “I loved L.A. I enjoyed my stay here. I played with great players here—Butch Goring, Marcel Dionne, the list goes on.”

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Filed under Exclusives, History Tagged with , , ,

LA Kings Broadcasters Examine The Roles Of Dean Lombardi, Darryl Sutter In Stanley Cup Win

October 5, 2012 by 14 Comments

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: Since the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup last June, the vast majority of the attention has been on the their players, for reasons that should be obvious. But someone had to show them the way, and someone else had to put all the pieces together. In part eight of a series featuring the long-time broadcasters of the Los Angeles Kings, they share their thoughts on the contributions of head coach Darryl Sutter and President/General Manager Dean Lombardi.

LA Kings head coach Darryl Sutter, shown here addressing the Staples Center crowd during the team’ Stanley Cup Championship Rally on June 14, 2012.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — Before the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup on June 11, 2012, they were a mostly beleaguered franchise that was known much more for stumbling and bumbling its way through its 45-year history than anything else.

For the most part, all that changed when the Kings won the Stanley Cup for the first time in their history nearly four months ago. But just six years prior, things were about as Read more of this post

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Frozen Royalty Audio: Interviews From The Pete Demers Series

August 1, 2011 by 14 Comments

Los Angeles Kings retired head
athletic trainer Pete Demers.
Photo: Noah Graham/Getty Images
via the Los Angeles Kings

A twelve-story series on just about any topic requires a considerable amount of source material to draw from, and that is exactly what Los Angeles Kings retired head athletic trainer Pete Demers provided for the series of stories on his 41-year career in professional hockey, 37 in the Kings organization, that was completed on July 29, 2011.

Indeed, I sat down with Demers in three separate sessions—two in late December 2010, and one in early January 2011. In the end, we talked for more than four-and-a-half hours (4:37:52, to be exact), with Demers sharing story after story, along with unique insights about hockey, and about the work of the athletic trainer that so few know about.

It was fascinating, funny, and highly entertaining.

Former Kings players and coaches also shared their thoughts about Demers, along with some stories involving him. Some are quite amusing. Read more of this post

Filed under Audio/Video, Exclusives, History, NHL News Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Los Angeles Kings Retired Head Athletic Trainer Pete Demers Is A King For Life

June 17, 2011 by 16 Comments

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: With the Boston Bruins having won the 2011 Stanley Cup, the 2011 off-season begins in earnest, so it is time to resume Frozen Royalty’s series on the career of Los Angeles Kings retired head athletic trainer Pete Demers. In this installment, former Kings players and coaches, including Bob Pulford, Marcel Dionne, Jim Fox, Daryl Evans, Mark Hardy, and Bernie Nicholls, along with current Kings right wing Dustin Brown, share their thoughts and anecdotes about Demers. Part eight of a series.

Los Angeles Kings retired head athletic trainer Pete Demers, circa 2001.
Photo: Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES — Retired head athletic trainer Pete Demers spent 34 years in the Los Angeles Kings training room, and he quickly earned the deep respect of the players, coaches, general managers, owners, and team staff, many of whom continue to maintain friendships with him.

“[Demers] was a young guy who came into Los Angeles when I was there,” said Bob Pulford, who played on left wing for the Kings from 1970-71 to 1971-72, and was their head coach from 1972-73 through the 1975-76 season. “In those days, there was two of them [Demers and assistant athletic trainer John Holmes], and they did all the work. He was a hard working guy, and I demanded a lot from him. He learned to do the work, and he did it very well.” Read more of this post

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LA Kings Retired Trainer Pete Demers Was Honored To Serve On International Stage

March 30, 2011 by 16 Comments

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: Head athletic trainer emeritus Pete Demers not only spent 37 years in the Los Angeles Kings organization, but he lent his expertise to both Canada and the United States on the international level, at World Championships, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and the 1998 Olympic Winter Games. In part seven of this series on his career, Demers reflects on his time on the international stage.

Retired Los Angeles Kings head athletic trainer Pete Demers (third from right) worked several international tournaments, but got his start on the international stage, not with his native United States, but with Canada, in 1986.
Photo: Demers Family Collection

LOS ANGELES — In 43 years of existence, the Los Angeles Kings came close once in 1993, but they have never been able to win the Holy Grail of hockey, the most revered and treasured trophy in professional team sports, the Stanley Cup.

That’s 43 years of stinging disappointment felt by players, coaches, general managers, owners, and fans alike. That also goes for the athletic trainers, and Kings head athletic trainer Pete Demers felt that sting for 34 of those 43 years, before retiring in 2006. Read more of this post

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