Kopitar training in one of Europe's most beautiful cities

Stand up and take a bow if you've even heard of Bled, Slovenia.

According to several travel sites, it's one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - perhaps the world.

The small town is nestled in the Julian Alps, with a castle high atop one of the mountains and a lake below, which features a small island in the center - where a little white church stands.

It's no wonder why Kings forward Anze Kopitar likes to go home every summer, Bled is just a few miles from where he lives.

This romantic, post card-like town is also where he and his brother Gasper are training this week.

Under the watchful eye of their father Matjaž, who is also head coach of the Slovenia national team, they've been preparing themselves for their return trips to America.

Trevor Lewis ready to make some noise at center or wing

Martinez, Parse, Lewis at Dodger game

Just about everything Kings forward Trevor Lewis does, he does quietly.

Despite begin taken 17th overall at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, you rarely hear about him as a 'former first rounder' like you do with Jonathan Bernier or Thomas Hickey.

At the time, he was playing in the USHL - not major junior in Canada or NCAA hockey in the U.S.  Perhaps that's part of it.

This past season, in very under-the-radar fashion, he became one of the Kings best defensive forwards.

He also comes from Salt Lake City, Utah. A place not exactly known for being a super flashy town.

Tanned and freshly rested from last weekend's Kings cruise, Lewis was with a group of about a half-dozen teammates at Dodger Stadium Friday night. Before he took part in the first-pitch ceremony, I had a chance to catch up with him for a few minutes.

Even though it was his frist trip to Chavez Ravine, Lewis knew that it was commonly referred to as 'Blue Heaven on Earth' and described the place as simply "awesome," while looking around to soak it all in.

Anze Kopitar on Younger Brother Gasper

Yesterday we brought you a one-on-one chat with the other Kopitar, Gasper.

Five years younger than Kings' star center Anze, Gasper is currently playing in the USHL and living the dream, as they say.

He's biding his time and honing his skills, just waiting for the possible chance to someday play in the NHL. However, at times, the conversation read more like one with a scout than a player - as he weighed in on a myriad of Kings prospects, including Brayden Schenn and Jordan Weal.

Gasper also never appeared shy with his feelings or opinions...and went so far as to say that, sure, his older brother gives him advice on how to become a better player - but, that he returns the favor by advising Anze on how to play better.

Is this possible? Plausible? Pretend? Or just preposterous?

Here's how big brother responded to little brother's claims...

"Well, he was a great partner this past summer" Anze said. "We were working out together, skating together back home. So, he was a great partner. He's getting bigger. He's getting a lot stronger too. Soon, I'm going to have my hands full, even though he's five years younger. He's definitely matured a lot. He's definitely... again, challenged me to work even harder because if he works harder, I still want to beat him at every thing. So, it made me work harder and it was fun times."

As noted in Gasper's interview, he and the Des Moines Buccaneers have six games left in their regular season and are trying desperately to qualify for post season action. Only two spots remain unclaimed in their conference.

Once that plays itself out, should Anze need some help this off season while recuperating from his ankle injury, little brother Gasper is just a phone call away and he'd be happy to push him along.



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One-on-One Interview with Gasper Kopitar

Gasper Kopitar (Bryce Loshman photo)

Anze Kopitar had scored five goals this month. Gasper Kopitar just one.

Last Saturday, Anze went on the shelf. Thousands of miles away, younger Gasper was skating in a junior game with the Des Moines Buccaneers, probably trying to go top shelf (and adding to his nine goals on the season).

While it will be many more months before Anze steps on the ice again, Gasper is playing out his first full season in the USHL - the top junior hockey league in the United States.

However, when your older brother is the first player from your home country to make the NHL - and a first round draft pick to boot - the comparisons are inevitable. Unfortunately.

Gasper spent many years growing up in Southern California and even played for the Jr. Kings. After he moved on the WHL, things just didn't work out as planned. But, he's back on track now, as he'll tell you below.

And even though he went undrafted last year, he still has dreams of the NHL. If things don't work out though, we may have just discovered a second calling for him during our conversation.

From Jesenice, Slovenia to Manhattan Beach, California...then, Oregon and now Iowa. It's just your typical hockey story...

10 Tidbits on Alec Martinez

Alec Martinez won't subtly return to the NHL tonight. He'll be joining a Kings team that's lost four of their last five games.

He'll also be facing some small little club you may have heard of, the Montreal Canadiens. Outside of Toronto, it may just be the most hockey crazed market in North America.

Fortunately for him, with just four games of NHL experience, he'll probably go under the radar for most of the local media. Besides, their big story heading into the game is named Jonathan Bernier.

Using our popular 10 Tidbits format, here is some information to help you get to know the newest addition to the Kings blueline this season...

* First off, you'll be glad to know his nickname isn't 'Ally.' According to Corey Elkins, his teammate in Manchester (AHL), they call him 'Marty.' After it was announced Martinez would join the team this week I asked Elkins about his recent play with the Monarchs and he said "Marty has been awesome on the power play for us. He takes smart shots that get through traffic and moves the puck real well. Its fun to watch." Coach Terry Murray is probably hoping he'll be fun to watch for the Kings!

* He's spent the last two years with Manchester, sans his brief time in LA last season. His rookie year in the AHL (2008-09) he posted eight goals and added 15 assists in 72 games. Then, last season, he led all defenseman with 30 points (7g, 23a...while playing in only 55 games!). Prior to his call up yesterday he was a plus-four in 20 games and his 16 points (5g, 11a) were leading ALL players on the team.

Future Fridays - Interview with Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto grew up in Long Beach, CA as a huge LA Kings fan.

So, it was a little ironic for him when his teammate (Derek Forbort) was selected by the Kings in the first round of the draft this past June.

Perhaps it's something he'll get to experience himself though in the not too distant future, as just a few days ago he was one of only three college forwards to be given an 'A' rating by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau for the 2011 NHL Draft.

NHL.com followed up that information by releasing their initial mock draft results.  For what it's worth, they had the Kings taking him in the first round next summer.

Already a two-time gold medal winner at the U-18 World Championships, Nieto could also possibly be selected by Team USA for the upcoming World Junior Championships - which would raise his profile even further.

As part of our Future Friday series we spoke with the Boston University freshman about everything he has going on right now and where hockey may be taking him...

MM:  You started out by playing roller hockey at the YMCA, is that right?

2010 Camping Guide - Interview w/ Corey Elkins

After a long summer, we're just a few days away from something huge.

Since Dean Lombardi's arrival in Los Angeles in April 2006 he has been on a mission to stock the organization with high-end prospects.

This Saturday, 3,000 fans are expected to descend upon the Kings training facility in El Segundo, CA for the second annual HockeyFest - where fans can interact with alumni, get autographs and attend various speaker sessions.

Simultaneously, the fruits of Lombardi's labor will be on display, as the Kings Rookie Camp gets underway in the same building. Nearly every major prospect he's acquired in the last four years will be present - forwards Clifford, Kozun, Loktionov, Schenn, Toffoli and Weal; defenseman Deslauriers, Fransson, Hickey, Muzzin and Teubert; plus goalies Berube and Jones.

Corey Elkins will be there too.  The 6'3" center just completed his rookie season with Manchester, where he posted 21 goals (tops on the team) and 43 points (second on the team).  Both totals also placed him in the top-10 for rookie scoring in the AHL.

He was expected to battle Brayden Schenn for a possible roster spot with the big club this season.  Now, with news coming out today about Schenn having a knee injury that could keep him sidelined for several months, you may start to hear more about Elkins.
Get ready for camp!  Here's the first in a series of exclusive interviews you'll find on MayorsManor in the days to come...

MM:  You signed with the Kings organization as a free agent coming out of college in the spring of 2009.  What made you want to sign in Los Angeles, especially considering the team hadn't made the playoffs in eight years at that point?

CE:  Well, when I was going the process it was crazy. It was almost like getting recruited for college all over again.  The opportunity just felt right with the Kings though. I liked Hex (Ron Hextall) and Jack (Johnson) and some of the guys that were coming out. I had some meetings with them and it all felt right. With me being a little older, it looked like I could have a quick learning curve in LA and get some good experience - whether it be in Manchester or with the Kings. It was also exciting to be part of such a young and up and coming team. You see the talent. If you go though the guys that are in the organization, you know it's just a matter of time.  So, I was excited to be part of that.

You're pretty familiar with the Kings future, having been to a few of the camps already.  How about the past?  Let's see how well you know your Kings history - can you name five players that wore the old purple and gold jerseys?

Throwback Thursdays - Interview w/ Noah Clarke

While hockey may still be Canada's game, U.S. born players were the media darlings of the recent NHL Draft in Los Angeles. In fact, there were a record number (11) of Americans taken in the first round, including the Kings' Derek Forbort.

A few picks later, two Southern California players were taken - Gardena's Beau Bennett at #19 and Emerson Etem, of Long Beach, at #20. However, long before they were supposedly putting California hockey on the map, Noah Clarke played for the Los Angeles Kings.

Born in 1979, he had already been playing for a few years when Gretzky was traded to LA in the summer of '88. His hometown of La Verne - about an hour east of the old Forum - wasn't exactly what you would call a 'hockey hotbed.' In fact, the city didn't even have an ice rink. Nonetheless, Noah honed his craft in several different places and was eventually drafted by the Kings in 1999.

After spending time with both Manchester and Los Angeles, he's been playing in Europe the last few seasons.  And just this week he left for Germany to get started with his newest team, the Augsburger Panther.  Before heading to LAX with his passport and hockey sticks though, he sat down with The Mayor for a reflective conversation - including his thoughts on several current Kings players (Brown, Kopitar and Doughty), a future player (Kevin Westgarth), a former player (George Parros) and even a rumored player (Ryan Malone).

He also talks about life in Europe, why he left North America and tells a story about one of the funnier pranks you'll hear that went down during his playing days with the Monarchs.

MayorsManor presents an exclusive interview with the original California King, Noah Clarke...

Looking back, what impact did Gretzky coming to the Kings have on you as a kid?

Future Fridays - Interview w/ Seth Ambroz

Seth Ambroz is a name you'll want to remember.

Like the frosty winds of a Minnesota winter, his story was swirling towards a perfect storm.  Now things are starting to look more like a coulda, shoulda, woulda situation.

He was scheduled to start at the University of Minnesota in a few months, where he coulda been in the starting line-up when they face-off with his brother's college team in October.

The 6'3" 205 pound forward has risen to the challenge at every level he's played, so he shoulda been able to help a Gophers team that will desperately be trying to reach the Frozen Four next spring...a championship tournament they'll be hosting at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

That same building will then host the 2011 NHL Draft a few months later...and after what was expected to be a stand-out freshman season for the hometown boy, it woulda been a fairytale ending when he was selected with one of the first few picks in the first round.

Well, the too-perfect script has been going through some editing in recent weeks.  It was just announced that Seth will not be starting at the U (what the locals call it) in the fall.  Seems the coach isn't confident he can find him enough playing time, so he's shuttling him back to the Omaha Lancers of the USHL - where Seth has netted 36 goals and posted 80 points in 116 games over the last two seasons, all while being one of the youngest players in the league.

From all accounts, he appears to be the real deal.  While he may be playing for a different team than originally expected this coming season, scouts are very high on him.  The International Scouting Service has him rated fifth among all prospects for the next NHL draft.

In an NHL.com article they referred to him as "one of the most talked-about prospects" and had comments from a scout who said "He's good at all facets of the game".  His coach in Omaha has been equally impressed, saying "He's a special kid. To think, he started on our third line (in 2008-09) and ended up on the top line."

Another interesting wrinkle in this story is that Seth's Lancers team is owned by a group of hockey legends, including Mario Lemieux and Kings President, Luc Robitaille.  Having seen Seth play at a few games he's attend over the last two seasons, Lucky wasn't shy when I asked him for some observations, "He's been a real team player and a good all-around person. As a player, he shows great competitiveness and a willingness to compete and battle around the net, and he combines that with vision and an understanding of the game."

For a guy that made a living around the net, that's some pretty high praise.

In today's Future Friday spotlight, we talk with Seth Ambroz to get some first hand information from the guy that may just wind up going first overall at next June's NHL draft.