In the plans: LA Kings vs Anaheim Ducks outdoor game

On August 11, 2009 - yes, two years ago tomorrow - I wrote the following:

GRAB YOUR FLIP FLOPS - The Kings are working to put a pre-season game together next year with the Ducks. Seems normal enough right? Well, now ponder the game played on the beach! They're looking at a game in Santa Monica, Manhattan or Redondo. While there is some concern that the capacity will probably be limited to the 6-10k range (ala a pro volleyball event)," the idea is create a unique event that will generate some media buzz for the game of hockey here in Southern California.

Right now you might be thinking 'Yeah, how'd that turn out?'

Well, later in the same article I broke the news that the Kings were putting in a bid to host the 2010 NHL Draft. Obviously, they were successful in their attempts to bring those festivities to Los Angeles for the first time. In turn, that pretty much delayed any plans of hosting an outdoor game in the summer of 2010.

What happened this year though?

Recently, I asked Luc Robitaille, Kings President of Business Operations, for an update - is that idea even still on the radar?

"We'd love to do an outdoor game," Robitaille began. "Just to make a statement to the league that it can be done. We're working on it. If that can be on the beach, I don't know. But, I'd still love to do a pre-season game outdoors with the Ducks."

And the timing?

"It could be possible next summer. It's something that we haven't looked at real seriously yet. But, I would say it's something that we're talking about."

The Mayor
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