Funny you mention this because the Islanders are working "feverishly" to purchase the Bridgeport franchise. Probably for the same reason.

Love their name, Ice Dogs. With a name like that, they deserve to win the championship! :cool:

My guys announced they have come to terms (a two-year contract extension) with snarling, battling forward Sean Avery, who led the league in penalty minutes last season. A true throwback to the days when the Kings were known solely for their fighting!

~Adam

Fox Sports West will begin airing "classic" LA Kings or Anaheim Mighty Ducks games starting Wednesday, 10/13, to fill the void left by no hockey. In an attempt to spice up the coverage, they're going to have comics offer color commentary.

Other TV alternatives include the G4Tech TV channel (has anyone ever heard of this particular channel?) presenting all scheduled games via video games, starting with Tampa Bay against Philadelphia on 10/13.

~Adam

I just read about this today: here in Philadelphia, Comcast Sportsnet will begin airing classic games starting Thursday at 7:30 pm, with the first game being Game 6 of the Flyers-Oilers 1987 Cup finals. Calling it "Hungry For Hockey," the broadcast will feature Al Morganti and former Flyer Keith "Corn Boy" Jones mixing in commentary and.... cooking. eek!

The Kings farm club, the Manchester Monarchs will play the Utah Grizzlies at Staples Center here in LA on October 23, with the game-day skate free to the public. I've already called and bought four tickets for the game; now I have to find three people who want to go with me. The customer service represenative told me the Kings are looking at having the Monarchs play a number of additional games here....if the turnout on the 23rd is good.

~Adam

Today being "Hockey Day in LA," the Kings' AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, will play Utah at Staples Center tonight. King season-ticket holders get in FREE!!! and the organization is being very lax about that; in response to my question about whether I can bring a second person in free since I buy two season-tickets, I was told "bring as many people as you like, there'll be room." The oddest part of "Hockey Day in LA" will come before the game when Tim Leiwicke & "members of the Kings roster" accept a plaque from city council members celebrating the day. I wonder how many of us will be booing???

~Adam

Was it declared "Hockey Day in L.A." before the lockout?

And you'd think someone would step in -- either ownership or the players' union -- and tell their side not to participate in that ceremony. It might look in someone's eyes like one side or the other is weakening.

"Hockey Day in LA" had indeed been scheduled before the lockout; the day was to feature three games at Staples Center: two junior games leading to the Kings against the Coyotes--and a special presentation to Wayne Gretzky. No active player was there to accept the plaque; Tim Leiwicke, Coach Andy Murray, and retired King Kelly Hrudy represented the organization.

I brought a total of six people to the game--and because I'm a season-ticket holder, we all got in free. Non-season-ticket folks were charged $11 per ticket. They announced the attendance at 10,800 but my guess would be about 7000. Lots of us were in various team jerseys (saw three Flyers sweaters) and ran into a few people who have seats near mine; though we don't really know one another, we greeted each other like long lost relatives--with hugs and "It's so good to see you again!!" sentiments. For what it's worth, the Monarchs (Kings affiliate) defeated the Grizzly (Coyote's affiliate) 5-0. Leiwicke said they'll try to stage similar games as the season goes on.

~Adam

It sounds like hockey still has a loyal following in southern California despite the lock-out...and you got to see Kelly Hrudey too! I guess I won't be seeing him on Hockey Night in Canada anytime s(w)oon

Adam's reference to the Manchester Monarchs made me wonder what the affiliated AHL teams are for other NHL teams. Some I knew already, but certainly not all of them. I'll post this link here, hope it doesn't seem too off-topic.

http://www.canoe.ca/AHL/nhl_partners.html

It's interesting that some NHL teams (eg Flyers, Oilers, Rangers and Bruins) have their junior affiliates quite nearby while others (eg, Kings, Flames, Sharks, Canucks) are much further away. I think my favourite name among the AHL teams is the Albany River Rats.

Sounded pretty cool Adam. And decent attendance to boot!

Marc, you have excellent taste. When he was our goalie, he made the ticker pitterpat and he still looks mighty fine.

The River rats is a very cool name (wouldn't you love to own that sweater or hat??)

~Adam

Having the team nearby is in some cases a matter of circumstance. The Flyers' affiliate was in Maine years ago, then it was the Hershey Bears. But then the Flyers moved out of the Spectrum so they had a building available that needed a team, and saw it as a potential moneymaker. And if you have a last-minute need to call up someone, you can't do better than calling the arena next door. wink

Perhaps the Worcester Ice Cats will be chasing the Albany River Rats. It's the Tom and Jerry of the AHL. wink

How do two teams (Norfork and Milwaukee) end up with the same nickname?

Of course, the Phantoms have the perfect name for Halloween!

Kings tough guy Sean Avery--he may be in the penalty box even during the lockout wink --was questioned by Penthouse's Sporting America:

"Q: On average, do you think hockey players get the best babes? Better than baseball, basketball, or football?
A: I've seen a lot of the basketball and NFL players' wives, and they definitely don't measure up, but I've seen their girlfriends, and that kind of pulls them up out of the gutter somewhat.

Q: Name a teammate you've had over the years who seems to think that showering after the game is optional?
A: Pretty much every Czech player"

Not that I ever look at Penthouse; this was reprinted in the LA Times.

~Adam

Ooh, I have a feeling the Kings' goaltender Roman Cechmanek might have something to say to Avery about that! And thanks for the compliment re: Kelly Hrudey . Which reminds me, Kelly interviewed Luc Robitaille on CBC during a game last season and they were fondly remembering their years together as Kings. I recall Luc (now age 38) said that he likely would NOT be back for the 05-06 season in the event of a lockout. But maybe he will change his mind.


I didn't notice that until you pointed it out, Joe. It reminds me of the situation we had in the Canadian Football League for many years. With just nine teams in the league, two of them had the same name, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Ottawa Rough Riders. The Ottawa franchise ceased operations for awhile, but when it was re-born three years ago, at least they had the sense to pick a new name (the Renegades, whose jersey, I'm told, was won by a certain Outsports member at the convention in Philadelphia last spring wink )

[ October 26, 2004, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: Marc ]

I just read this today in the Sep. 21, 2004 issue of The Hockey News:
"Left Winger Sean Avery is dating supermodel Rachel Hunter, former wife of rock legend Rod Stewart."

I am afraid this is going to be the most interesting stuff in The Hockey News until a CBA gets done.

Following up on the discussion of two teams with the same names--but taking it off in a slightly different direction--whenever I tell co-workers I'm off to a Kings game, at least one will stare blankly and say "But Sacramento [basketball's Kings] aren't in town, are they?" Do the NY Giants get confused with the SF ones? wink

~Adam

Unless they're your bosses, when they say something like that, just slap them. wink

I used to live in Texas and was a New York Rangers fan. Since baseball is obviously much bigger in Texas than hockey, you could see people's confusion when I rooted for the Rangers.

Spoke to my Kings' PR friend--first time since Hockey Day in LA--and he was none too pleased about how it turned out. Of the 10,800 the organization claims attended (I still say it was closer to 7000,) more than 3500 were season-ticket holders and their guests (who got in free) meaning at most 7000 paying customers. Additionally, their plans to celebrate hockey--all the former Kings' coaches, a King's player look-a-like contest, a kids skate-with-the-Kings activity, Gretzky being feted by Barry Melrose LIVE ON ESPN NEWS --all went to waste. And, to add insult to injury, neither of the two major papers in town sent anyone to cover the Manchester/Salt Lake City game (only one local tv station sent someone) and, as for the "Hockey in LA" t-shirts the Kings made up just for this occasion, only 340 were sold that night.

I reminded him at least he still has his job; he said it's safe until the end of this calendar year at which time all non-essential senior staff will be laid off by the Kings organization--if there is no settlement. Not a happy camper.

~Adam

Now the Mighty Ducks (how I hate that name) will bring in their minor-league team for three games. The Concinnati Mighty Ducks will play the Grand Rapids Griffins (like that name) in Anaheim on November 24 and the Edmonton Road Runners (Beep!Beep!) on December 17 and 18. As a particularly nice gesture, those two games will be benefits for "Spark of Love Toy Drive." The Ducks press release cites the recent game at Staples Center played by Manchester and Salt Lake City, calling it a "resounding success." Perhaps their press flacks should talk to the Kings' flacks.

I'm getting tickets for at least one of the December games and the game against the Griffins (I hope they sell Griffin merchandise at that game!)

~Adam