Mike Richards talks leadership and wearing a letter in LA

Earlier today we posted comments from Kings coach Terry Murray regarding the leadership styles of Dustin Brown, Mike Richards and Simon Gagne.

Now, Richards is back to weigh in with some thoughts on the whole subject...

While other guys may have the letters on their jersey, how long will it take you to establish a leadership role in the locker room?

"Leadership is not just one person," Richards explained. "There's one guy with the 'C' on his jersey and (others) with the 'A's, but I've always felt that it was a team effort. You can't have enough experience in a dressing room. Everybody's been in that position at some point. You don't make it to the NHL without being some sort of leader. It might be somebody one night, Brownie the next night (or) Kopitar. It's not always the same person voicing their opinion. If something needs to be said, I'm sure they'll say it."

And the role he'll play in that process? "I just want to come in and focus on hockey. If something needs to be said or if somebody asks me a question, I'll definitely I'll answer," said Richards.

For those who like to look for something that isn't there, Richards made one thing perfectly clear - he doesn't have any expectations of wearing the 'C' in Los Angeles...this season or anytime in the near future.

"Dustin's done a great job of captaining this team for a couple of years now," Richards said with great enthusiasm and conviction. "I've talked with a lot of players and I know how hard how he plays - I played against him for (two) years in Kitchener, when he was in Guelph (OHL). I've played against him a bunch of times during the regular season and at the Olympics last year. So, I know what type of leader he is and how hard he plays the game. I have no plan on doing anything other than coming in here and playing hockey."

With or without a letter, does he feel pressure coming to Los Angeles with such a huge spotlight on him being shown on him this summer?

Drew Doughty vs. Dustin Brown?

Say it ain't so!

Well it is...sorta.

Although they've played as teammates in Los Angeles for the last two seasons...and opposed each other at the Olympics while representing their respective countries...it looks like their pasts have finally caught up with them.

Prior to being drafted by the Kings in the first round at the 2003 NHL Draft, Dustin Brown played his junior hockey for the Guelph Storm of the OHL.  Two years after Brownie had made the leap to the big show his former junior team added a young defenseman who grew up in London, Ontario while idolizing Wayne Gretzky.  That teenage blueliner was none other than Drew Doughty.

Like the Olympics earlier this year, the two teammates will be on opposite sides of the ice today as the Guelph Storm welcomes back a bunch of its former players for an Alumni game.

Returning for the festivities will be nine former Storm captains and eighteen current or former NHL players.

Doughty is playing for Team Blue - which also includes Jeff O'Neill, Craig Anderson and Todd Bertuzzi.  They'll take on a Team White squad featuring Brown, former Kings Kevin Dallman and Brian Willsie...plus, possible future Kings forward Manny Malhotra (UFA 7/1).

No word on why former Storm and Kings goalie Dan Cloutier won't be attending.

You can view the full rosters by clicking here.

Looking ahead... about 10 days from now the Captain and the Phenom will travel to Las Vegas.  Brown will play in a celebrity poker tournament and Doughty hopes to collect his first Norris Trophy.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
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Related articles:
10 Tidbits on Dustin Brown
10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty

Erik Ersberg, Larry Murphy and Doughty?

It's all in a day.

Happy Birthday to Kings back-up goaltender Erik Ersberg. The now 28 year old netminder has had extremely limited action this season, having played in just eight games. Since arriving in LA for the 2007-08 season Double E has only seen action in 50 games. Not exactly the veteran presence the Kings may need come playoff time, causing some Kings fans to wonder why GM Dean Lombardi didn't shore things up at the trade deadline.

When asked about this at yesterday's meeting with season ticket holders Lombardi shared a few thoughts...first, who was really available that would be much of an improvement...two, Ersberg shouldn't necessarily be judged on his performance this year (having to sit for long stretches at a time, sometimes more than a month - and then having to play)...three, if need be, they can always call up Jonathan Bernier from Manchester. However - HOLD ON before you Bernier lovers start ordering your new Kings jerseys from Team LA.

Lombardi and assistant GM Ron Hextall have made it perfectly clear on multiple occasions that the plan has been to keep 'the other' Jonathan in Manch' all year (including any possible playoff run by the Monarchs). So, it remains highly unlikely he'll be up in LA this season...unless there is an unfortunate injury...and if you're a Kings fan, you don't even want to think about something like that happening so close to the playoffs.

Now, on to the other birthday today...

Seems that Ersberg shares a birthday with not only a former Kings defenseman, but a legendary one...a guy who went on to have a Hall of Fame career - Larry Murphy.

Murph turned 49 today, which means he should be playing along side Chris Chelios for the Chicago Wolves. That's a different story though.

This story is about the uncanny similarities to Murphy and a current Kings defenseman - one who is pretty damn good himself...Drew Doughty.

* Both are guys are from a similar part of Canada - Doughty grew up in London, Ontario...about 2 hours from Murphy's hometown of Scarborough (Wayne Simmonds hometown coincidentally)

* Doughty played junior hockey for the Quelph Storm, less than an hour north east of where he grew up...Murphy played for the Peterborough Petes - yes, less than hour north east of where he was raised.

* Both have represented Team Canada in the Olympics - Murphy in 1980 and Doughty in 2010.

* Doughty was a first round draft pick in 2008 (taken second overall). Murphy was a first round pick too, having been picked fourth overall by the Kings in 1980.

* Both debuted for the Kings as teenagers - Murphy was 19 when he first suited up for LA in the fall of 1980...Doughty was just 18 when he played his first game as a King in 2008.

* Doughty wears #8 because his birthday is the 8th of December. Although Murphy started out wearing #5 with the Kings, he went on to wear #8 with the Washington Capitals (1983-89) and Minnesota NorthStars (1989-90).

* Both were offensive minded from the very beginning - Doughty's 27 points tied him for first among all rookie defenseman, while Murphy set the record for most assists and points by a rookie dman.

The list of comparisons could continue...however, just know this:

Murphy won four Stanley Cups and retired having played more games than any other defenseman in NHL history up to that point.

One can only hope that Doughty goes on to have that type of career...with just one major difference - let's hope he accomplishes those things wearing a Kings uniform!

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119

100 NHL Goals for Dustin Brown

Somewhat lost in the middle of the Kings destruction of the Ducks last night was a milestone for Dustin Brown. At 12:43 of the second period he tipped in a shot from Frolov and Doughty, his 100th NHL goal.

That's quite an accomplishment for a guy that claims to have been a better lacrosse player than hockey player growing up.

However, he ended up playing Junior hockey in Canada after leaving his native New York. And he's found plenty of success ever since.

To celebrate his century mark in goals, let's take a look at 10 Tidbits on Brownie:

• Was selected in the first round, #13 overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. For a team that has been criticized for decades about trading away their picks, it was an odd year for the Kings. They had three first round picks. Brown was the only one pan out.
• The Guelph days - He wore #32 for his Junior team, the Storm. They also claim Dan Cloutier and Drew Doughty as former players. Brown left with 194 points (and 195 penalty minutes) in 174 games. He also left with quite a few awards - Scholastic Player of the Year all three years he was in Guelph, was voted the most popular player on the Storm in 2001-02 and was the Top Scorer in 2002-03.
• Becoming a fixture on Team USA - played twice at the World Junior Championships ('02 and '03), totalling 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 14 games. Alexander Frolov's Russian team beat Canada for the gold in 2002, with Brown's US squad finishing fifth. Then in 2003, the US lost the Bronze Medal game to Finland. He's also played for Team USA four times at the World Championships that take place late in the Spring each year. Last April he was named captain of the team and they finished fourth in the standings. Next up, he'll play for Team USA again at the 2010 Olympics, where he'll return to wearing #32 and he'll be an assistant captain.
• Regarding the NHL lockout in 2004 he said "It was a blessing in disguise for me. I loved my time in Manchester. I learned a ton about how to be a pro."
• His wife also had a stellar hockey career before settling down with Dustin and becoming a full-time mom. (click here for an interview with her)
• In baseball you would call him a five-tool player. Brownie has it all - the ability to score, play defense, dish out big hits...and he's even been known to drop the gloves when needed.
• 2007-08 led the Kings in goals with 33.
• 2008-09 was a monumental year for Brown. He was the first American born player ever chosen to captain the Kings, he played in his first NHL All Star Game and in December '08 he scored his first hat trick against St Louis. After the game against the Blues, the always humble Brown said "I felt like I'd been in a slump. I was getting chances, but the pucks weren't going in. So, I was just trying to keep it simple and putting pucks on the net. That's what we need as a team, throwing pucks at the net."
• Was the youngest player in franchise history to be named captain.
• He is currently under contract with the LA Kings through June, 2014. While it has never been officially confirmed, it is believed he has the LA Kings logo "tattooed on his ass" like GM Dean Lombardi has said he needs his players to have.

Congratulations on goal #100. Fans throughout Staples Center appreciate what you do on a nightly basis to help the Kings win and are proud to call you THE CAPTAIN.

One19
www.twitter.com/Mayor119


note - part of the above article was originally published in Nov 2009 on Brownie's birthday...it was updated for today's post


RELATED ARTICLES:

10 Free Agent Tidbits - notes on Frolov and Ponikarovsky, plus thoughts on Kariya

10 Tidbits on Alexander Frolov

10 Tidbits on Wayne Simmonds

10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty


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10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty

Teenagers aren't supposed to play in the NHL, especially on defense. Most scouts will tell you because of the complexities of the position, the majority of young d-men won't mature until about 24-25. Tonight in Carolina, on game two of the Kings current five game road trip, young Drew Doughty will play in his 100th NHL game. Even more remarkable than the quantity of games played BEFORE his 20th birthday is the quantity of minutes played - he led the Kings and all NHL rookies with nearly a 24 minute average last season and continues to lead the team most nights this season.

(Doughty's first hockey card, age 4)
In celebration of what is sure to be many milestones to come for Drew, let's take a closer look at the guy teammates call Dewy:

Born in London, Ontario, Canada. It's quite the hotbed of hockey. Other NHLers from London - Jeff Carter (Philly), Joe Thornton (San Jose) and Eric Lindros (multi-teams).

Numbers Game - wore #3 when playing for Team Canada at the World Championships last Spring. Growing up he wore #99 in honor of his childhood idle - Wayne Gretzky. Then, briefly wore #19 for Joe Sakic. With his Junior team (Guelph) and here in LA he wears #8 (taken from his birthday (Dec 8).

Was taken second overall by the Kings in the 2008 draft. It could end up being a very memorable 1st round for defenseman. Other key guys taken that day - Colten Teubert (Kings #13), Zach Bogosian (Atl #3), Luke Schenn (Tor #5) and probable Calder candidate this season, Michael Del Zotto (NYR #20)

Prior to the draft E.J. McGuire, the NHL's director of Central Scouting, said that Doughty is "a defenseman around which a team is going to build the next 10 years." Yep.

Won gold with Team Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championships, where he was named Top Defenseman of the tournament. He was just the fifth Canadian d-man to win the award (Marc Staal 2006, Dion Phaneuf 2005, Bryan McCabe 1995, Gord Kluzak 1982) and the first to win it before being drafted into the NHL. Also played for his native country at the 2009 World Championships (earned silver medal), the 2007 World Junior Under-18 Championships and the 2006 World Junior Under-17 Championships. Also has an outside chance of making the very deep roster that will represent Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver. Participated in the initial training camp in August and will anxiously await the final roster announcement on December 31st.

Other awards - was voted Best Offensive Defenseman in the 2007 and 2008 OHL Coaches Poll (Guelph, Juniors) and was also named to the OHL All-Rookie Team in 2005-06. Selected to participate in the YoungStars game at the '09 NHL All-Star Weekend in Montreal. After his rookie campaign in the NHL was named to the '08-09 All-Rookie Team.

Offensively minded - tied for first among NHL rookie defensemen last season with 27 points and 21 assists. This was after he put up 50 points (13-37=50) in 58 regular season games during his final campaign with the Guelph Storm.

Was called out by former Kings forward and current broadcaster, Jim Fox, after the first game of the current season. In an article HERE Foxy called it Drew's "worst game as a King."

Making history - made his NHL debut on Oct 11, 2008 vs. San Jose. Recorded first NHL point with a goal Oct. 20, 2008 vs. Colorado.

Under contract - He is currently in the second year of his initial three year deal, earning $875k per year. He'll be a restricted free agent at the end of next season. If you're placing a bet, put it all down that he isn't going anywhere!

100 and counting. Keep 'em coming Drew. You're the foundation of what is arguably the most promising group of young d-men currently assembled by any NHL team. The Kings are in good shape for many years to come with you minding the blue line.

In closing, it should also be noted that Michal Handzus will be playing in his 700th NHL game tonight too. The signing of Handzus was universally panned when first announced a few summers ago after he was given a four year deal - at a time when he was coming off reconstructive knee surgery. Although his first season as a King was nothing to write home about, near the end of that year you could start to see he was slowly regaining his pre-surgery form. That was confirmed last year when he had a remarkable bounce back season. The chemistry formed with Alexander Frolov has continued this year and many now see what Dean Lombardi was banking on when he first signed him...a solid two way center. Congrats Zeus on game #700.

The only number that could be more meaningful tonight is one. As in "wins: one in a row." If you prefer the number two, that could work also. As in "the end of the two game losing streak" or "two points." Either will do.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor


RELATED ARTICLES

10 Tidbits on Dustin Brown - the Kings captain scores NHL goal #100

10 Tidbits on Wayne Simmonds - yearning for top six minutes

10 Tidbits on Willie Mitchell - a story of pickles and burgers

10 Tidbits on Alex Ponikarovsky - we welcome Poni Boy to LA, Hollywood style

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10 Tidbits on the bday boy - Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown is the youngest player to ever where the "C" for the LA Kings.

A New York native, he played junior hockey rather than going to college.

He claims to have been a better lacrosse player than hockey player growing up. But hey, things seem to have worked out OK for him. It's just hard to believe he's only 25 years old, as it seems like he's been suiting up for the Kings for a decade now.

In honor of his birthday today, we give you 10 Tidbits on Brownie:

• Was selected in the first round, #13 overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. For a team that has been criticized for decades about trading away their picks, it was an odd year for the Kings. They had three first round picks. Brown was the only one who panned out.
• The Guelph days - He wore #32 for his Junior team, the Storm. They also claim Dan Cloutier and Drew Doughty as former players. Brown left with 194 points (and 195 penalty minutes) in 174 games. He also left with quite a few awards - Scholastic Player of the Year all three years he was in Guelph, was voted the most popular player on the Storm in 2001-02 and was the Top Scorer in 2002-03.
• Becoming a fixture on Team USA - played twice at the World Junior Championships ('02 and '03), totalling 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 14 games. Alexander Frolov's Russian team beat Canada for the gold in 2002, with Brown's US squad finishing fifth. Then in 2003, the US lost the Bronze Medal game to Finland. He's also played for Team USA four times at the World Championships that take place late in the Spring each year. Last April he was named captain of the team and they finished fourth in the standings.
• Regarding the NHL lockout in 2004 he said "It was a blessing in disguise for me. I loved my time in Manchester. I learned a ton about how to be a pro."
• His wife also had a stellar hockey career before settling down with Dustin and becoming a full-time mom.
• In baseball you would call him a five-tool player. Brownie has it all - the ability to score, play defense, dish out big hits...and he's even been known to drop the gloves when needed (see clip below)
• 2007-08 led the Kings in goals with 33.
• 2008-09 was a monumental year for Brown. He was the first American born player ever chosen to captain the Kings, he played in his first NHL All Star Game and in December '08 he scored his first hat trick against St Louis. After the game against the Blues, the always humble Brown said "I felt like I'd been in a slump. I was getting chances, but the pucks weren't going in. So, I was just trying to keep it simple and putting pucks on the net. That's what we need as a team, throwing pucks at the net."
• On January 1, 2010 - live on NBC, during the NHL Winter Classic game - it'll officially be announced that Brown is headed to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver as part of Team USA.
• He is currently under contract with the LA Kings through June, 2014. While it has never been officially confirmed, it is believed he has the LA Kings logo "tattooed on his ass" like GM Dean Lombardi has said he needs his players to have.

Happy Birthday #23. Fans throughout Staples Center appreciate what you do on a nightly basis to help the Kings win and are proud to call you THE CAPTAIN.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Added Bonus - some footage of a little Captain on Captain crime: