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.
The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:
Interview with Gasper Kopitar
Anze Kopitar Undisputed - full, extended version
Interview with Brayden Schenn - hockey's #1 prospect
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
One-on-One Interview with Gasper Kopitar
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| Gasper Kopitar (Bryce Loshman photo) |
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...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
One Small Step For Kings, One Giant Step By The Captain
Earlier today we looked at famous old sayings about the importance of defense in team sports.
Then tonight, Dustin Brown put 'if you want something done right, do it yourself' front and center.
In his pre-game interview on MayorsManor the Kings' captain said "we need him to contribute more offensively" when talking about his new linemate, Trevor Lewis.
The rookie center responded by providing two beautiful assists on Brown's pair of goals against the Oilers - which must have been encouraging for Lewis, who felt he needed to be "a little bit more of a creative player" prior to the game. So far, he's backing up his words.
Ryan Smyth picked up an additional assist on the first goal, giving him points in three straight games - the first time he's done that since early February. Encouraging.
(Oh yeah, Brown was also the guy Kings fans voted as most likely to 'seize the opportunity' in today's poll - results here)
Given the injuries to Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams, the above trio will get most of the post-game attention. However, the play of Jonathan Bernier shouldn't be overlooked. He stopped all 32 shots, posted his third shutout of the season and pushed his record to 7-1-3 in his last 11 starts.
On the defensive side of things, coach Terry Murray recently said he's been impressed with Alec Martinez all season (article here) and called him a "contributing player every game." Additional life was breathed into those words when the rookie blueliner took five shots (!) in the first period.
Even while mired in last place, the Oilers' young guns have been the talk of the NHL this season. However, it was a trio of Kings newbies that would have been responsible for dubbing this game 'The Rise of the Rookies.'
And a final note...the win gave the Kings a sweep of their four-game series this season, marking the first time since the two teams began playing each other in 1979-80 that the Kings have been able to accomplish such a feat.
It's just the latest in a string of firsts for the Kings, all while they continue inching closer to the playoffs.
Check out the highlights...
Then tonight, Dustin Brown put 'if you want something done right, do it yourself' front and center.
In his pre-game interview on MayorsManor the Kings' captain said "we need him to contribute more offensively" when talking about his new linemate, Trevor Lewis.
The rookie center responded by providing two beautiful assists on Brown's pair of goals against the Oilers - which must have been encouraging for Lewis, who felt he needed to be "a little bit more of a creative player" prior to the game. So far, he's backing up his words.
Ryan Smyth picked up an additional assist on the first goal, giving him points in three straight games - the first time he's done that since early February. Encouraging.
(Oh yeah, Brown was also the guy Kings fans voted as most likely to 'seize the opportunity' in today's poll - results here)
Given the injuries to Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams, the above trio will get most of the post-game attention. However, the play of Jonathan Bernier shouldn't be overlooked. He stopped all 32 shots, posted his third shutout of the season and pushed his record to 7-1-3 in his last 11 starts.
On the defensive side of things, coach Terry Murray recently said he's been impressed with Alec Martinez all season (article here) and called him a "contributing player every game." Additional life was breathed into those words when the rookie blueliner took five shots (!) in the first period.
Even while mired in last place, the Oilers' young guns have been the talk of the NHL this season. However, it was a trio of Kings newbies that would have been responsible for dubbing this game 'The Rise of the Rookies.'
And a final note...the win gave the Kings a sweep of their four-game series this season, marking the first time since the two teams began playing each other in 1979-80 that the Kings have been able to accomplish such a feat.
It's just the latest in a string of firsts for the Kings, all while they continue inching closer to the playoffs.
Check out the highlights...
Kings Coach Terry Murray Sizes Up His Defense
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| Alec Martinez (photo by M. Zampelli) |
Ever heard of the best offense is a good defense?
Or defense wins championships?
In hockey you could add 'goaltending' to the equation and that would probably be just fine for Kings coach Terry Murray - because he looks pretty solid there, with Jonathan's Quick and Bernier.
Yet, what about LA's defense this year? Murray recently weighed in with a report card, of sorts, on three of the key components to his defensive line-up - guys who will be counted on heavily for the balance of the regular season and into the playoffs...
On Jack Johnson - "His game has been OK, it's been OK. It needs to be better. And he was very good at the start of the year. There's pockets in the games that we've played so far this year where he's been right here (raising his hand high), very good, and there's other pockets where his game has dipped. To me, it's a young defenseman, of learning to focus and concentrate and give that part of it the best effort every night, every game. Whenever you lose that concentration for a moment you end up like a goal that was scored with Calgary. It's a line change, it's a breakout from behind their net and you're just not quite, maybe, focused enough to see that guy coming - although he's coming about 75 miles per hour. But, that's your responsibility. That's the read you have to make as a defenseman. So, he's been great on the power play at times this year. A lot of his points have been special teams. Again, there's a dip. We need him to get back and we need that part of our game to be better and he's a big part of it."
Dustin Penner and the Compounding Pressure
Stanley Cup Finals his rookie season - pressure.
Playing under the weight of signing a five-year free agent contract in Edmonton - Pressure.
Being traded by the last place Oilers to the playoff bound Kings for three assets at the NHL Trade Deadline - PRESSURE. (and slightly presumptuous on the playoffs)
Point is, pressure is nothing new for Dustin Penner.
Then, early last week he lost his right wing, Justin Williams. A few days later, his center, Anze Kopitar.
Already part of an anemic offense, how much more burden will the injuries add to the pressure weighing on his broad shoulders?
Playing under the weight of signing a five-year free agent contract in Edmonton - Pressure.
Being traded by the last place Oilers to the playoff bound Kings for three assets at the NHL Trade Deadline - PRESSURE. (and slightly presumptuous on the playoffs)
Point is, pressure is nothing new for Dustin Penner.
Then, early last week he lost his right wing, Justin Williams. A few days later, his center, Anze Kopitar.
Already part of an anemic offense, how much more burden will the injuries add to the pressure weighing on his broad shoulders?
Johnson and Handzus on Kings Playing the Oilers
The Road Kings are back to the comforts of living out of a suit case, taking their traveling carnival to Edmonton tonight for a game with the Oilers.
Pick your poison, the story could be about the Kings hot play on the road (winners of five straight). Or about Dustin Penner's first game against the club that traded him to LA last month. It could easily be about the injuries to Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams too.
Or, even though they have the fewest points in the NHL, the story could just be the Oilers.
Here are some thoughts on the game from the Kings new top line center and a view from the blueline...
Michal Handzus - "It's going to be a tough game. They're a good team. They have a lot of skill and a lot of young players. So, they're excited to play in the NHL. They go after teams. We've seen it before (this season). So, it's going to be a tough game and we need those two points. But, we can't expect an easy game. It's up there (in Edmonton) and they skate fast. We'll need to be on top of our game.
Jack Johnson - "It's always fun going into Canada, where the spotlight's on you a little bit more. Edmonton is a team right now with a 'don't have anything to lose' attitudes. Those are tough teams to play against because if a couple of bounces go their way or something, they're tough to stop, for sure. They still have a lot of talent on paper. It's also fun to go up to Canada and play on some fast ice, some good ice. I'm looking forward to it."
So far, the first three meetings of the season were all won by the Kings.
If they can pull out another one tonight, it might calm some of the fears hanging over the team in the wake of recent injuries. More importantly, it would take them two points closer to their current goal - qualifying for postseason play.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
POLL: Who Will Seize the Opportunity?
Dustin Penner on Returning to Edmonton
Dustin Brown Remembers When Kings Were Spoilers
Pick your poison, the story could be about the Kings hot play on the road (winners of five straight). Or about Dustin Penner's first game against the club that traded him to LA last month. It could easily be about the injuries to Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams too.
Or, even though they have the fewest points in the NHL, the story could just be the Oilers.
Here are some thoughts on the game from the Kings new top line center and a view from the blueline...
Michal Handzus - "It's going to be a tough game. They're a good team. They have a lot of skill and a lot of young players. So, they're excited to play in the NHL. They go after teams. We've seen it before (this season). So, it's going to be a tough game and we need those two points. But, we can't expect an easy game. It's up there (in Edmonton) and they skate fast. We'll need to be on top of our game.
Jack Johnson - "It's always fun going into Canada, where the spotlight's on you a little bit more. Edmonton is a team right now with a 'don't have anything to lose' attitudes. Those are tough teams to play against because if a couple of bounces go their way or something, they're tough to stop, for sure. They still have a lot of talent on paper. It's also fun to go up to Canada and play on some fast ice, some good ice. I'm looking forward to it."
So far, the first three meetings of the season were all won by the Kings.
If they can pull out another one tonight, it might calm some of the fears hanging over the team in the wake of recent injuries. More importantly, it would take them two points closer to their current goal - qualifying for postseason play.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
POLL: Who Will Seize the Opportunity?
Dustin Penner on Returning to Edmonton
Dustin Brown Remembers When Kings Were Spoilers
POLL: Who Will Seize The Opportunity?
With Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar out of the line-up for the final seven games of the regular season (and longer), nearly every Kings player is talking about guys needing to step up.
And although that seemed to be the theme of the day at practice yesterday, coach Terry Murray was stressing opportunity...
As in, "an opportunity for players to show what they can do on that side of the game now.”
Also noting that several guys will be placed "in a higher situation, more important situation and they’ll grow immensely through this opportunity.”
Specifically, he's "looking for a couple young guys to step up here and take advantage of this opportunity.”
Regardless of age, the Kings need to somehow, someway replace the goals lost by Kopitar and Williams. So, what do you think - who will have the most goals over the final seven games?
Before you vote, here's a quick look at the how the new Kings lines may impact a player's performance:
And although that seemed to be the theme of the day at practice yesterday, coach Terry Murray was stressing opportunity...
As in, "an opportunity for players to show what they can do on that side of the game now.”
Also noting that several guys will be placed "in a higher situation, more important situation and they’ll grow immensely through this opportunity.”
Specifically, he's "looking for a couple young guys to step up here and take advantage of this opportunity.”
Regardless of age, the Kings need to somehow, someway replace the goals lost by Kopitar and Williams. So, what do you think - who will have the most goals over the final seven games?
Before you vote, here's a quick look at the how the new Kings lines may impact a player's performance:
Monday, March 28, 2011
Dustin Brown Remembers When Kings Were Spoilers
However, the season ending injury to Anze Kopitar will have a ripple effect throughout the team, as nearly every player will be asked to step up and take on more responsibility - maybe none more than rookie Trevor Lewis, who has been bumped up to the second line with Dustin Brown and Ryan Smyth.
After practice today, the captain spoke about his new center and the possible danger waiting for the team in Edmonton:
MM: Thoughts on playing Edmonton tomorrow night, a team at the bottom of the Western Conference...
DB: They're there, but they're kind of going through that transition of rebuilding and they have a lot of good, young, skilled players. I remember it wasn't too long ago, maybe, that we were that team and tried to be spoilers. They definitely have the one-on-one skill and high-end skill that, if we're not ready to play, they can beat us.
MM: As the captain and a veteran on the team, what type of advice are you giving Trevor Lewis (who sits next to him in the locker room) about his expanded role with Anze Kopitar out?
Dustin Penner on His Possible Out-of-Body Experience
A few months after that game he signed an offer sheet (restricted free agent contract), which the Ducks didn't match. Meaning he was moving to Edmonton.
Over the next several years he played his former Anaheim team several times per season. More recently though, now as a member of the Kings, he played his first game vs. the Ducks from the other side of the SoCal rivalry - something he talked about here.
Tomorrow night will be another first, as he'll play the Oilers in Edmonton - the team that traded him to LA just a few weeks ago.
Here's what he's thinking as the game approaches...
MM: Prior to the game with Anaheim you told us about the Penner Cup. I was thinking, with you here in LA now, is the Penner Cup still between you and Anaheim or has it shifted to you versus Edmonton?
DP: I think we just threw another team into the fray. It's like a three-way tournament now.
MM: How about playing Edmonton, a team you were part of just a month ago...
Kings Prospect Report - Round 1 Playoff Updates
As noted last week, all of the Kings top prospects - with one exception, Jordan Weal (who is now in Manchester) - had qualified for the 'second season.' Here's an overview of where things stand...
Brayden Schenn - his Saskatoon Blades entered the weekend as the #1 seed in the WHL and won both of their opening round games over the Prince Albert Raiders. Schenn had a goal in the first game and a pair of goals in the second. The series resumes Wednesday in P.A. Schenn stopped by MayorsManor last week, the article is available here.
Linden Vey - the 2011 WHL Scoring Champion picked up a goal in each of the first two games for his Medicine Hat Tigers. However, their series with the Brandon Wheat Kings is tied 1-1. Game three will be tonight in Brandon. Vey was a guest on MayorsManor last week, the article is available here.
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