Sounds more like a NASCAR race, doesn't it?In fact, we're talking about Alexander Frolov playing in his 500th game for the LA Kings tonight vs. the San Jose Sharks.
The benchmark number puts him #17 all time for the Kings and it's a threshold that's been narrowly missed by many, including past fan favorites Marty McSorley (472) and Lubomir Visnovsky (499).
To help celebrate this accomplishment, here are 10 tidbits you might not know about Alexander Frolov.
* Two significant honors before joining the Kings: 2001-02 Rookie of the Year in the Russian Super League and a gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships (where he scored a goal for Russia in the final game and led the team with 6 goals and 8 points in 7 games).
* Was selected #20 in the first round of the 2000 NHL Draft. Other players taken in that same first round: ahead of him (Rick DiPietro, Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Scott Hartnell and Brooks Orpik), after him (Brad Boyes, Steve Ott and current teammate Justin Williams).
* Has been durable for the Kings, averaging 76 games per year during his six full seasons in LA.
* A few high points with the Kings: First NHL goal on October 25, 2002 vs New York Rangers. First NHL hat trick on November 13, 2005 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets. Has led the team in goals three times - 2003-04 (24 Goals), 2006-07 (35 goals) and 2008-09 (32 goals).
* Played in the Russian Elite League before making his NHL debut with the Kings in 2002-03. Then returned to Russia during the NHL Lockout in 2004, playing 42 games with CSKA Moscow and 6 games with Moscow Dynamo.
* According to AlexanderFrolov.com these are some of Fro's favorites: Shrek (movie), Andre Agassi (athlete) and Aerosmith (band).
* No fro-love from the mother country? Has significant international experience - playing for Team Russia in the 2002 WJC, 2004 World Cup, 2006 Olympics and three times at the World Championships ('03, '07 and '09). No matter...he was not asked to join Russia for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. A move that surprised many.
* Played in the 2003 NHL YoungStars game, the first Kings player to get the call. The game originated the year before as part of the All Star weekend in Los Angeles, where Team Barry Melrose defeated Team Jim Fox 13-7. MVP of the debut game was Ilya Kovalchuk of the Thrashers. Other participants in 2002 included Roberto Luongo, Pavel Datsyuk, Dany Heatley, Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik and Brenden Morrow. Young Stars indeed.
* Lotto numbers - Frolov has worn a variety of jersey numbers throughout his hockey career. He tried #31 while with the Soviet Wings in 2000-01 and in 2001-02. Number 42 went for a test drive in '04 with Dynamo. Of course, he has been wearing #24 for the Kings and most years with Team Russia.
* Throughout his time here in LA he's been rumored to be traded to just about every team in the NHL. This is not at an all encompassing list, but he's been linked to Montreal, Atlanta, Buffalo, Vancouver, Edmonton, Chicago, New York, Colorado, Ottawa, Pittsburgh...just Google 'Frolov trade rumors' and you can read one hilarious story after another. Nothing's happened so far. At this point, it's 500 and counting in a Kings jersey.
The Mayor
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