While it's not totally surprising to see two current players do so well in the rankings, it's a least a little interesting that a few of the other players didn't get more recognition - especially considering their solid resumes.
In the end though, Brown and Quick tied for the top spot as the 'Best U.S. born player to play for the LA Kings.' Each captured 25%, Granato was a close third with 23%.
So, keeping with the theme, here's a look at the Kings' first team all-star group, comprised of purely American born players.
forward - Dustin Brown, Jimmy Carson and Tony Granato
defense - Jack Johnson and Mathieu Schneider
goalie - Jonathan Quick
Fortunately, on these type of lists you don't need a back-up goaltender - because the Kings, a franchise not exactly known for being rich in goaltenders, are even more thin when you start to mine the lists for American born netminders.
You'd probably have to hand the back-up role to Jeff Zatkoff, who has yet to even play in a single NHL game. The highly regarded prospect spent last season in Manchester, where he posted 20 wins with a 2.68 goals-against-average and .911 save percentage.
Once you get past the current Kings defensive core there aren't many blueliners with American roots either. However, that could be changing in the years to come also, as GM Dean Lombardi and crew have added a number of talented U.S. defensemen to the organization recently - including Derek Forbort (first round 2010), Kevin Gravel (fifth round 2010), David Kolomatis (fifth round 2009) and Alec Martinez (fourth round 2007) and Patrick Mullen (free agent signing, 2009).
Forbort and Gravel are both scheduled for next week's Development Camp in El Segundo, CA. They'll be two of the 11 defensemen in camp, a group that also includes six free agents.
Tomorrow I'll post an interview with one of those invitees, defenseman Pierre Durepos of the Memorial Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs.
The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:
Interview with JF Berube: pre-camp comments
Interview with Tyler Toffoli: pre-camp comments from OHL scoring champ
Interview with Jordan Weal: pre-camp comments
Interview with Tony Granato - talking about his time with the Kings and Rob Blake
Interview with Derek Forbort - looking back on his freshman year and what's ahead
Um Deadmarsh and Olczyk?
ReplyDeleteOlczyk was given honorable metion in the original article: http://www.mayorsmanor.com/2011/07/poll-best-us-born-kings-player-of-all.html
ReplyDeleteDeadmarsh not being included in that discussion was an error (good catch). His 46 goals in 114 games with the Kings are impressive numbers. However, he still wouldn't be able to unseat Brown, Granato or Carson for first team honors. It's really a shame injuries ended his career early.
Bobby Carpenter?
ReplyDelete