LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks Team Up To Teach Active Duty Military, Veterans, To Play Sled Hockey

November 23, 2015 by Leave a comment

Also includes photos from the So Cal Warrior Sled Hockey Learn To Play Clinic on November 15.

The following is an expanded version of a story that will appear in the January 2016 edition of USA Hockey Magazine.

One of the younger participants at the So Cal Warrior Sled Hockey Learn To Play Clinic, sponsored by the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, on November 15, 2015, at Ice-Plex in Escondido, California.
Photo: Dustan Brewer

ESCONDIDO, CA — Although dark clouds and rain created a dreary atmosphere outside, nothing could put a damper on the energy and spirit inside Ice-Plex in Escondido, California, where the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, with support from USA Hockey, held the So Cal Warrior Sled Hockey Learn To Play Clinic on November 15.

At the clinic, current players from the Kings and Ducks sled hockey teams, along with their coaches and other volunteers, helped active duty military, veterans and non-military learn to play sled hockey, teaching them the fundamentals of the game.

“Based on what we’re trying to do, in terms of growing the sport of hockey, and providing something for veterans and active duty military members who have given so much for our country, we decided it was best to bring in, not only the Ducks, but USA Hockey, and really get a team effort behind this event,” said Chris Crotty, Director of Hockey Development for the Kings.

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LA Kings Goaltender Jonathan Quick Talks About Being Named To Team USA For 2014 Sochi Olympics

January 1, 2014 by Leave a comment

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick will represent the United States during the XXII Olympic Winter Games in
Sochi, Russia, in February 2014.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — Hours after being named to represent the United States at the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia (February 6-23, 2014), Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick spoke to the media about the honor from St. Louis, where the team will skate against the St. Louis Blues on January 2.

In 2010, Quick was a member of the silver medal-winning Team USA in the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, but was the third goaltender and did not dress for any games.

“I was able to be part of the team in 2010, so you get an understanding, I suppose, of what it’s like to represent your country,” said Quick. “To be able to have that opportunity again is a great feeling.”

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LA Kings Center Prospect Nick Shore Is “Still Looking To Get Things Going” This Season

November 15, 2013 by 8 Comments

Los Angeles Kings center prospect Nick Shore, shown here with the Manchester Monarchs of
the American Hockey League.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: Steve Babineau/Manchester Monarchs

LOS ANGELES — With forwards Tanner Pearson, Tyler Toffoli, and Linden Vey all up with the big club after having been recalled by the Los Angeles Kings in recent days, filling roster spots left vacant by the likes of veteran forwards Jeff Carter, Kyle Clifford, Matt Greene, and Jarret Stoll, who are all out of the lineup due to injury, there has been a powerful ripple effect throughout the lineup of the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

Indeed, younger, less experienced players have been thrust into roles they probably didn’t imagine themselves being in this season, let alone before the holidays, and that includes center prospect Nick Shore, who was selected by the Kings in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The 21-year-old, 6-0, 195-pound native of Denver, Colorado began the season on the Monarchs’ third line. But now, he is their top center, at least for the time being.

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LA Kings Center Prospect Robert Czarnik Is Working Hard To Stay Out Of The Shadow

August 9, 2011 by 10 Comments

Center prospect Robert Czarnik spoke to
the media during the Los Angeles Kings 2011 Development Camp at the Toyota Sports Center
in El Segundo, California, July 11-12, 2011.
Photo: Gann Matsuda

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Although he is certainly not one of the Los Angeles Kings’ prospects whose name rolls right off the tip of your tongue, center prospect Robert Czarnik is pushing to make an impact at the next level.

Czarnik, 21, is no longer eligible to play in Canada’s junior hockey leagues (he had an over-age year of eligibility left for 2010-11), so the Kings will now have to find room for him with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, their primary minor league affiliate, or with the Ontario Reign, their ECHL affiliate.

The 6-0, 185-pound native of Detroit, Michigan was selected by the Kings in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, fresh out of two seasons with the United States Under-18 Team. Read more of this post

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Showing Signs Of Progress: LA Kings Blue Line Prospects Nicolas Deslauriers, Derek Forbort, And Kevin Gravel

July 25, 2011 by 21 Comments

EL SEGUNDO, CA — All it takes is a quick glance at the roster to see that the Los Angeles Kings are set with their top six defensemen, with Drew Doughty, assuming the Kings can get him to sign a contract soon, leading their blue line corps.

Defenseman prospect Derek Forbort spoke to the media during the Los Angeles Kings 2011 Development Camp at the Toyota Sports Center
in El Segundo, California, July 11-12, 2011.
Photo: Gann Matsuda

The Kings are also developing several young prospects for their blue line, including Jake Muzzin, Thomas Hickey, Viatcheslav Voynov, Andrew Campbell, David Kolomatis, and Patrick Mullen—all played for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate, last season.

But if you think the pipeline ends there, sorry, guess again.

Indeed, even more prospects are working their way up the ladder, trying to achieve the dream of someday playing in the National Hockey League, and three of them, Kevin Gravel, Derek Forbort and Nicolas Deslauriers, participated in the Kings 2011 Development Camp in mid-July at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California, the Kings’ practice facility. Read more of this post

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