2012 AHL All-Star Game - notes on Zatkoff, Hickey, Stevens

The 2012 edition of the AHL All-Star game concluded tonight, with the Western squad defeating the guys from the East 8-7 in a shootout. Kings prospects Jeff Zatkoff and Thomas Hickey represented the Manchester Monarchs on the East team.

Zatkoff played the second period in net, facing 20 shots and surrendering there goals.

Hickey, who leads the Monarchs in plus/minus with a plus-14 rating, recorded zero points and took one shot in the game.

Kyle Palmieri, the Ducks first round selection at the 2009 NHL Draft, also picked up a goal for the Eastern Conference all stars.  He's split time between Syracuse (AHL) and Anaheim this season.

Andy Miele, last year's Hobey Baker Award winner (given to the top player in college hockey) - and a name Kings fans may remember from his stellar performance during Rookie Camp games in LA - had a goal, an assist and was plus-2. The Phoenix Coyotes signed him as a free agent last summer our of Miami (Ohio) University, the same school attended by Zatkoff and Kings defenseman Alec Martinez.

Prior to the game, the AHL held their annual Hall of Fame luncheon. Among the four honorees was Kings assistant coach John Stevens. He is one of only 16 men to win an AHL championship both as a player and as a head coach, having patrolled the blueline in over 800 games as a defenseman and later guided the Philadelphia Phantoms to the Calder Cup in 2004-05 after his playing days were over.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Jeff Zatkoff - making life on the edge work

Interview with Thomas Hickey - the Kings former #1 draft pick opens up

Zatkoff talks prank pulled on Alec Martinez in Manchester

Original King bookened his HOF career with Fox and Toffoli

A Killer goodbye (photo by: TotalPhoto.ca)

In October 1967, Brian Kilrea scored the first goal in Los Angeles Kings history.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

Make no mistake about it though, it had nothing to do with his time in the NHL, where he played a grand total of 26 games and scored three goals.

Killer, as he's affectionately known in hockey circles, has largely spent the past 35-plus years either behind the bench or in the front office of the Ottawa 67's, one of the OHL's most successful teams.

He began his coaching career in 1974-75 and three years later his roster included a short whippersnapper from Coniston, Ontario ...and knowing Foxy now, he probably had the best hair on the team, even back then.

Jim Fox honed his craft under the tutelage of Kilrea for three seasons, before being selected in the first round by the Kings in the 1980 NHL Draft.

When it was announced on Wednesday that Kilrea was stepping down from his day to day activities with the 67's, Fox was eager to speak out on the man who guided him early in his career.

Robitaille on Rogie and Roenick - Hall of Fame worthy?

Luc Robitaille was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 9, 2009.

That was about as 'no-brainer' of a selection as the committee has had in recent years. He finished his career with 668 goals and a Stanley Cup, just to name a few of his accomplishments.

Going back even further in Kings history though, this November will make it 40 years since the Kings added their best goaltender to date, Rogie Vachon.

A few nights after the anniversary of LA sending four players to Montreal for a 5-foot-7 goalie, this year's Hall of Fame class will be inducted and once again, Vachon will not be there - just like every other year since he was first eligible in 1987.

Why? How has this happened?

Sure, he played in Los Angeles during the '70s. To say it wasn't a hockey hotbed is an understatement of epic proportions. However, his stats say he should be in. With 355 wins (including 171 in LA, with a 2.82 goals against average), 51 shutouts, a Vezina trophy, three Stanley Cups and a gold medal at the 1976 Canada Cup (where he had two shutouts in seven games played and a 1.39 GAA)...how has nor received the call?

On the other hand, it's not that surprising. The first shot on goal the guy ever faced in the NHL was against some forward named Gordie Howe. It's been an uphill battle ever since!

Recently, I asked Robitaille, now the Kings' President of Business Operations, if it's something the team can get behind and help make a push for.

Interview w/ Los Angeles Kings legend Marcel Dionne

Throwback Thursdays continue here at MayorsManor...

Today we're proud to welcome in another living legend. Earlier this week Marcel Dionne celebrated his 59th birthday, which is hard to believe for some...as it seems like just yesterday he was skating on the Triple Crown Line with Dave Taylor and Charlie Summer.

In reality, Marcel played for the Kings from 1975 to 1987. When he netted goal #700 in 1987, he became just the third player in history to reach the milestone.  Nearly all of those came with the Kings (550).  Dionne is in the top 10 of almost every major offensive category for the Kings and he took his rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame after retirement.

In the interview below, The Mayor and Marcel look back at his career - from being drafted by the Red Wings...to signing with what-was-then hockey Siberia, Los Angeles...and finishing up in New York, on some really bad Rangers teams. Never shy, he shares his thoughts on the league, owners, managers, his teammates - well, let him tell you all about it...

20 Questions with #20 - Interview with Luc Robitaille

From the 1984 NHL Entry Draft to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. From his 500th goal in 1999 to his retirement in 2006. Kings fans have been watching Luc Robitaille for two decades now. He's strayed from Los Angeles a few times, yet his heart always belonged to the Kings. Today marks another milestone in the incredible career of the young kid from Montreal who grew up to become the greatest left wing of all time.

Prior to his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame later today, we had a chance to sit down with Luc...we went all the way back to the beginning and tried to cover everything in between...it was 20 Questions with #20:

Recently the Kings had a Dad's Trip, something they didn't do back when you were playing. Yet, the bond between father and son was still important - especially when you're younger. Do you remember any advice your dad gave you prior to being drafted?

My dad never said much to me about playing. He never missed a practice or a game. I think there was one game in Juniors though where he said "I drive two hours to watch you everyday. I don't care if you play bad, but you have to work hard." It never happened again. I didn't want to disappoint him.

You had a great career at Hull (Junior Hockey), you were the player of the year in 85-86 and the the CHL later created an award named after you (The Luc Robitaille Trophy). Now, its given to the team that scores the most goals in a season. The Kings have drafted six guys that have played for a team that won the award...
Wow, I didn't know that.

Well, I'm not sure if its a good thing Luc, none of those prospects have panned out yet.
(He laughs) Hang in there. Sooner or later one of them will work out.

There isn't a 'Luc' jinx?
No, no, no. Don't say that. One of them will pan out. (he laughs some more)

Well, Nicolas Deslauriers was taken in the third round this year...
Yeah, he's a real good player. He had a pretty good season.

So I shouldn't mention the possibility of a jinx to Dean?
No, no. Don't mention it to him. (More laughter)


In 1986 you beat Ron Hextall for the Calder Trophy. Do you like to tease him about that now that you guys work together?

No, I never do. That's something I should though. I've never teased him about that. I tease him about a few of the goals I scored on him though. He said he doesn't remember any of them, but I say I do and I can show him the video. I know he remembers.

After your second season with the Kings the big trade went down for Wayne. Do you remember how you found out he would be your teammate and what your thoughts were at the time?
Bruce McNall called me the day before the trade was about to happen and I still wasn't sure it was really going to happen. The next day I was in Montreal when it happened and I had to do a couple hundred interviews. There was no way to get a hold of Wayne because of the press conference, so people starting asking me questions.My thoughts were pure excitement. I idolized Wayne, so to get the best player in the game was great. That was the most excited I ever was in my career about getting a new player on my team. To be able to watch him day in and day out was just amazing.

The Kings had a great season in 1990-91, winning the Smythe Division. How close was that team to threatening for the Cup? When I talked with Kelly Hrudey recently he said he thought the Edmonton Oilers were what held you guys back; that those guys just had something special and it was hard for you guys to get past them.
Well, I think every year once we got Wayne we thought about it. You know we had John Tonelli, Kelly Hrudey, Mike Krushelnyski, Larry Robinson. We had good stay at home defenseman in Tom Laidlaw and Tim Watters. We felt every year we had a shot that year. That being said you never know. But, we felt that way every year.

As far as the Oilers, well - we beat them in the playoffs one year, they beat us the next year. They still had a good aura. But we had some good runs against them. I actually thought Calgary and Edmonton both gave us the most problems.

In the '92-93 season Gretzky was hurt and you were given the 'C'. Many people have said that you played differently as the captain. Do you think so?
I think so. Barry Melrose gave me a lot of respect with that. To tell you the truth, it was my first time in LA playing on the top line. All the years prior I was always on the second like. So that changed a lot of my responsibilities. I remember Barry asking me to work hard every day and it certainly paid off. I enjoyed the responsibility.

The following year the Kings missed the playoffs and then things got weird. There was a lockout, you were traded to the Penguins. Did having Tomas Sandstrom in Pittsburgh make the transition any easier for you?
Well, I knew Howard Baldwin. When I went there he treated me real well. I had a fairly decent year, about a point a game. We had a good run in the playoffs. We lost to New Jersey and they won the cup that year. I enjoyed my time in Pittsburgh. The only reason I left was Howard went to my agent - because of the lockout I was able to file for arbitration - he wasn't going to be able to pay me. We didn't know at the time, but he was in trouble financially. He did me a favor and sent me to New York.

Let's talk about your time as a Ranger. You got the chance to play with the guy that many people claim is the best captain in all of sports, Mark Messier. What did you learn from him?
I learned a lot from Mark. I was really impressed with how hard he worked every game, he was such an impact on every game. What impressed me the most though was the way he lead. He lead with a constant positive thoughts. If you worked hard and you were honest, you were part of Mark's group. If you weren't working hard and you weren't honest, you were just literally out. That's why Mark won so many cups because of the way he lead. He was definitely one of the best leaders I ever played with.

In August of '97 one of Dave Taylor's first moves as the new GM of the Kings was to bring you back to Los Angeles. How excited were you at the time?
I was excited. Dave talked to me right away. I knew what was expected of me in LA. Larry Robinson was the coach, it was a good fit. Unfortunately, I was hurt the first year. I played with a bad groin, a hernia, for a long time. Then I had to have hernia surgery. But the team played well. We were staring to build a team. That was fun.

The last year at the Forum, in '98-99, you went out with a bang - playing all 82 games and scoring 39 goals, the most you had put up in five years. Was that intentional?
Like I said, the year before I had the hernia surgery and I was not feeling good about my game. It was hard to play with a bad groin all year. Then once I fixed my hernia I got into a new training program. I got a lot stronger and bigger. That's when the players were getting faster and bigger. Literally I changed my career that summer. I probably added ten years to my career that summer.

A lot of fans still don't understand what happened in the summer of 2001 and why the Kings didn't resign you. What can you share?

I still don't quite know what happened either. I thought we had a great run. When it comes down to a contract its always about one guy. I had a great year. I was 11th in scoring in the league. We had done everything right. But then I was offered a pay cut. I wasn't expecting a huge...um...I don't know what I was expecting. But I was expecting something. When I was offered a pay cut - you know - that never happens to the leading scorer on your team. I was really disappointed. It happened 24 hours before the July deadline. It was certainly weird the way it happened. There was not a lot of communication. I didn't understand it. But at the time I wasn't going to go and shop myself around. I was going to go for the team that really wanted me. So that's what I let the Kings know at the time - I said "If you want me, you have until tomorrow to sign me" and that was going to be it for me. They never called me back.

You went on to win the Cup in Detroit your first season there. Then, at the end of your second season the team was swept by Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs. You were about to be a free agent again. Do you remember your first thoughts about what you were in store for?
I don't really remember. We were so disappointed in the way that season ended. We knew we had a good team and we knew it wasn't going to last forever. That summer, Ken Holland sat me down. He's a very special person. Once that happened I knew I was going to be a free agent.

Your wife, Stacia, has always been so supportive throughout your career. What were her thoughts when you told her you had a chance to come back to LA to finish your career?
Tim Leiweke had mentioned to me previously that when my deal was up he wanted me to finish my career in LA. So Stacia and I planned on calling Tim. I knew he would live up to his word. He has been so good to me and my family through the years. It wasn't really much of a surprise at that point.

After your final game (up in San Jose) the Sharks players and coaches came onto the ice to congrats you. Did that surprise you at all?
It really surprised me and at the same time it was one of the proudest moments of my career. teammates and your opponents are the people that know the price you pay to play every day. And I know I played my career in an honest way, the right way. So when they did that it was special. It certainly was one the greatest memories of my career. Sometimes the little things make you feel good about situations. That was a big thing for me. I remember Big Joe Thornton approaching me and he spoke very highly of my career and that meant a lot to me.

Regarding the Hall of Fame festivities, what are you most nervous about?
I just don't want to screw up the speech. i want to make sure everything goes smooth in that way. I don't want to forget anybody. I'm not really nervous. Its such a great honor. I'm just going to be happy to be part of it and to enjoy every single moment because it never happens again. Its going to be such a blur though. They told me they're going to keep me.

Tell us about the Omaha Lancers. Your part owner with Mario Lemieux, right?
Yes. I always wanted to give back to Juniors. I played in the US my whole career. When this team was available in Omaha we started looking into the USHL. We started getting familiar with Junior Major in the US and the chance for kids to go to college. I really liked that concept. Its been fun.

You were recently on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's radio show. Why do you think he gets booed so much around the league?
They've booed every commissioner in the history of sports, ever since the first sport was created. I remember the fans used to boo John Ziegler when he was commissioner. Its just the way it is. I think they get a kick out of it. But Gary has done a lot of stuff throughout his time with the NHL. He's made a lot of changes. Fans all have their opinions. But at the end of the day, what Gary has done with our league he has helped make it so that we compete at a higher level every night, the buildings are fuller now than ever before, he's done an amazing job - but, there's not a commissioner that doesn't get booed. If you get the job of Commissioner, you have to expect to be booed - everywhere.

If you were the Commissioner, what one thing about the game would you look to change?
Oh gosh. well, we all like to play Commissioner. But the one thing I would like to do - we all talk about improving tv - the one thing I like to do is get rid of the hurry up faceoffs. Give more time to talk about and tell stories about our great players between whistles.

Fans in Los Angeles obviously loved you Luc. They get your autograph on just about anything. What about for you, is there any important memorabilia you've kept from your career?

Its kinda funny because when I was younger I didn't keep much. When I'd get a jersey or something I'd give it to my mom, but I never thought much about it. Once I started having kids I thought Man I gotta start keeping stuff. So I have some stuff in boxes. I kept some stuff when I won the Cup. Believe it or not when we were going to the Finals in '93 I was keeping a lot of stuff. I just had a feeling. The funny thing is, in that series my wife...she knew everybody in the arena and she came to all the games. Most of the time she'd forget her ticket, but they knew where she sat. So, that year in the playoffs I forgot to give her tickets for the first round. She was bugging me to give her the tickets for the second round and I forgot again. By the time we got to third round I said I'm not giving them to you! I remember thinking that's probably the only uncut tickets in existence. So when we made the Finals I said Man if we win the cup this is going to be awesome.

You've stated that helping the Kings win a Stanley Cup is your number one priority as team President. What other goals have you set for yourself?
Our fans deserve for us to put a product...and to be a franchise...that acts like one of the top franchises in pro sports. When Mr. Anschutz and Mr. Leiweke gave me this job they let us have people working for the Kings 365 days a year. We take a lot of pride in giving great service to our fans and we're trying to be at the forefront of things, like what we're doing on the internet. We're trying to do as much stuff as possible to be a successful franchise, on and off the ice. Look at what Dean has done too, like redoing the locker room for the second time in two years. We're trying to treat the players with a lot of class. When you look at other teams, like the Dodgers or the Detroit Red Wings, they do all the little things right. That's what we're looking at. That's our goal.

Thanks Luc. Congratulations on your well deserved honor.

Luc Robitaille, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.



The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Word Association with Luc Robitaille - talking teammates and opponents

Interview with Seth Ambroz of the Omaha Lancers - probable 2011 first round pick

Interview with Rob Blake

Interview with Kelly Hrudey

Interview with Robb Stauber
To read other interviews we've done with Luc here on Mayors Manor, simply type his name into the search box near the top left corner of this page.

Word Association with Robitaille - Luc on His Teammates

Each group of players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame has a uniqueness about it. Occasionally, guys that were rivals during their playing days are enshrined during the same year. However, rarely does a player going in share the stage exclusively with guys he called teammates during his career. Luc Robitaille is once again Lucky, as he has played with all three of the other members that make up the class of 2009.

Before heading to Toronto he shared a few thoughts with us on each of them...

Steve Yzerman - Along with Mark Messier, he was one of the best leaders I ever played with. Stevie is right up there. He had to lead a group of primadonnas when I was in Detroit. We were a bunch of superstars. But somehow, they way Stevie is, how hard he works, how humble he is...made it that we all excepted a role and played for one cause, which was winning. Certainly for me he is one of the players I have the most respect for that I ever played with. I think very, very highly of him.

Brett Hull - For me to play with him was the ultimate. I had always watched him throughout my career and wondered how he got so much of an opening on the ice. To see him day in and day out, to see how much he loved the game...how much he put into it. People don't realize how much he put into it because he always seemed to be that relaxed guy, so loosey goosey - but he worked hard at being really good at his game.

Brian Leetch - Obviously, he was one of the best defensemen to ever play the game. But what impressed me the most was in those days we didn't have time sheets. We didn't know how many minutes a guy was playing. If I were to guess, when I was there (in New York) he was playing 35 minutes a game and he never missed a practice. Never took a day off. One of the hardest workers I ever played with.

The greatness of those three guys is obvious, as all three are headed into the Hall this Monday. Additionally, Luc had the chance to play with other legends, like Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne and Mark Messier during his career. Yet, I wondered if there was one guy that he didn't get to play with that when looking back over his career he really wished he could have...Luc wasted no time in answering:

Mario. When I went to Pittsburgh, Mario didn't play that year. When the lockout happened my first year there it changed my contract situation. They wanted me to come back and they kept trying to entice me with the thought of playing with Mario. Because of the lockout though my option year wasn't going to be a factor. My agent filed for arbitration like he was supposed to. Because of that, at the time I was the only player to have scored 40 goals eight straight seasons, so they knew we had a good case. When they figured out they weren't going to be able to resign me, that's when they traded me to New York. But if I had gotten to play with Mario it certainly would have been special.

Finally, for a little fun, we played word association using current and former Kings. Here were Luc's answers:

Jim Fox - he's quick, like a fox
Marcel Dionne - like a father figure to me
Tiger Williams - I was scared of him
Steve Duchesne - good friend
Kelly Hrudey - great goalie under pressure
Tomas Sandstrom - what a competitor
Tony Granato - great person
Robb Stauber - crazy goalie, couldn't believe the way he would run at guys
Marty McSorley - worked hard, put everything into being a better player
Dustin Brown - a pure power forward
Ian Laperriere - one of the greatest teammates you could have
Matty Norstrom - a really great roommate
Rob Blake - one of the greatest people I know, good leader
Adam Deadmarsh - played the game the right way
Sean Avery - my little puppy (he laughs)
Jeremy Roenick - great player, amazing guy in the locker room
Anze Kopitar - great future with the Kings
Alexander Frolov - underrated, a pure goal scorer

We'll have more on Luc leading up to the Hall of Fame ceremonies on Monday.

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

RELATED ARTICLES

20 Questions with #20 - an interview with Luc Robitaille

Interview with Rob Blake

Interview with Kelly Hrudey

Interview with Marcel Dionne

High / Low with Luc

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High / Low: Marcel Dionne

As the season wears on, we're pushing forward here at MayorsManor too. Last week former Kings netminder Kelly Hrudey stopped by to give us his take on the young NHL season. In honor of the festivities coming up this weekend, we decided to talk to not only a former Kings legend, but a Hall of Famer - the original King of Kings, Marcel Dionne. Throughout his career and post hockey life Marcel has never been shy about his views on the league, the game, former teammates...you name it, he'll give you his honest thoughts.

Here's what the great #16 had to say about the first month of play in the NHL:

HIGHS

• Pittsburgh Penguins - Look at the way they've started the season, like playing all those games last year didn't hurt them a bit. The short summer didn't bother them. It's so tough to repeat, yet they look like they're headed to the same place. It's even more amazing because they lost some key players. Those guys compete at a very high level every night.
• Washington Capitals - They play the game the way I liked to play the game. Just drop the puck and go...and keep going the whole game. Their coach, Bruce Boudreau, doesn't seem to care if they win 8-6. He just wants them to compete hard every game. That's fine with me. The only question mark on that team is the goaltending. Do they have enough to go all the way?
• Los Angeles Kings - I'm not just saying this to you, they are so, so close. I was disappointed in the way they played on opening night, but they've turned it around since then. They did lose a few on the start of that long road trip, then came back and won four in a row. I'm just happy for their fans. They've been fed such b.s. for so long and always seem to be rebuilding. There are great fans in Los Angeles. Fans that are really loyal. Right now they're playing like I thought they would this year. Kopitar is amazing.

LOWS

• Toronto Maple Leafs - What do I need to say? It's been terrible.
• Montreal Canadians - I don't think they have enough. With the 100th anniversary and everything the expectations were so high. I don't even think they'll make the playoffs. They're barely winning games. It's too bad they didn't get Vinny Lecavalier from Tampa Bay. He looks totally lost down there. I cant read him. But with their ownership situation and everything going on, he needs to get out of there and try it somewhere else. His confidence might be shot. As I've always said, confidence is everything to a player.
• The NHLPA - The whole debacle with the Player's Association makes me sick. This thing has been a mess for a long, long time. A definite low.

There you have it, straight from the mouth of one of the greatest players to ever lace up the skates. Marcel Dionne played for the LA Kings from 1975 to 1987. He was only the third player in history to tally over 700 goals, finishing his career with 731. Dionne is in the top 10 of almost every major offensive category for the Kings. His number was retired to the Forum rafters in 1990 and two years later he took his rightful place along side all of the other hockey legends in the Hall of Fame.

One19
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