Reign preview - Hardy behind the bench, Berube in net

Tonight marks the fourth season opener for the Ontario Reign, the Kings' ECHL affiliate.

For those who don't follow Southern California's premier minor league hockey franchise too closely, here's a quick crash course to bring you up to speed.

The Reign are owned by the Kemp family, who previously headed up the Long Beach Ice Dogs. They play in a beautiful building (Citizen's Business Bank Arena) some have called a mini-Staples Center - probably because it's also run by AEG.

In October 2008, the Reign played their first ECHL game, against the Bakersfield Condors, the same team they're playing tonight.

At the end of that inaugural season, the team made the playoffs - but, ultimately lost their first round match up with the Stockton Thunder in seven games. Former Kings first round draft pick Colten Teubert was with the Reign for a few games at the end of the season and for the playoffs. Current Manchester goalie, Jeff Zatkoff, was in net at the time and former Monarchs sniper Bud Holloway was among the group of forwards in Ontario.

They missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons, both of which brought mounting frustrations for the fan base and management. Part of the issue on the hockey operations side has been the fact the Kings haven't been sending them four to five players each season, like most other ECHL teams get (team president Justin Kemp spoke openly about the issue here).

Coach Karl Taylor, who also was in charge of managing the team's player personnel, left over the summer, taking an assistant coaching job in the AHL. The circumstances surrounding his departure are murky at best, as he's now working in the Canucks organization - the same team Kemp was negotiating with to bring on as a second NHL affiliate (again, discussed in greater detail in his MayorsManor interview linked above).

This season, the Reign are getting two additions with LA ties.

Dodgers' Tony Gwynn remembers LA Kings '93 playoff run

Last month Dodgers' first baseman James Loney and outfielder Matt Kemp stopped by MayorsManor to share a few thoughts on hockey.

As you may recall, Loney is eager to not only come out to Staples Center for a game, but he wants to suit up and take part in warm-ups. Meanwhile, the always laid-back Kemp indicated he was more the 'ceremonial first puck' type of guy.

Then, there's outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr. - perhaps a superfan in disguise...

Growing up, he says he spent summers in Long Beach with his grandparents. And although he never made it down to the old Forum for a game, that didn't stop him from cheering for the local hockey team.

"I was a huge Kings fan back when they went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993," Gwynn recently shared. "Back when they had Luc Robitaille and Wayne Gretzky, they had a bunch of good players. I remember watching the Vancouver series and when they won that series I was pumped up!"

Nearly 20 years later, is he still interested in the Kings?

Mark Hardy talks getting help from coach Karl Taylor

Some time in the next few days, the Ontario Reign (ECHL) are expected to announce a new head coach.

As their team President, Justin Kemp, told MayorsManor last week, it could very well be former Los Angeles Kings defenseman and assistant coach Mark Hardy.

Later that same day, Hardy visited MayorsManor to talk about his desire to coach the team.

As a follow-up to those articles, here are some additional comments from Hardy - he talks going to Europe and somebody he's already reached out to for some help if he lands the job in Ontario...

- On the thought of coaching by himself in the ECHL, compared to having a larger staff in the NHL: "He (Justin) explained there's no assistant with you and that (if I got the job), I'd also be involved in player decisions and pretty much running everything. So, again, some of it would be a learning curve. But, it's hockey and I know hockey and I know players. I have a lot of people who I can contact. I've also talked with Karl Taylor (former Reign coach) and he said that he would be a big help to me - as far as recruiting players and sharing his knowledge of the league."

- On the nature of his relationship with Taylor over the last few seasons:

Mark Hardy talks about his desire to coach in Ontario

Following up on yesterday's articles...

Reign President Justin Kemp said that former LA King Mark Hardy is on the short list of final candidates for the open head coaching position in Ontario (ECHL).

Here are some initial comments from a subsequent conversation I had with Hardy following my meeting with Kemp yesterday...

"I'd be honored to work for the Kemp family again," began Hardy. "Hopefully, I can help the Ontario Reign bring the Kelly Cup to Southern California."

- On the fact he never formally interviewed with Kemp, only spoke with him by phone: "Hopefully we can sit down and talk about things further. I hope it was a step in the right direction, that's for sure. Just to be considered for it is quite an honor to me. I do have a relationship with them from working in Long Beach (Ice Dogs). And when I coached the Los Angeles Blades under Jeanie Buss (pro roller hockey), Justin worked for us at the time. So, we've had a long relationship. I'm confident that he knows my qualifications fit the bill and I'd be honored to have the opportunity to work for them again."

Reign President - 'Mark Hardy is on the short list of finalists'

Mark Hardy and Craig Johnson

Could former LA Kings Mark Hardy and Craig Johnson be on the verge of forming a coaching tandem in the ECHL?

According to Ontario Reign President Justin Kemp, Hardy is on the short list of finalists for the open head coaching slot - as he discusses in detail below.

Hardy, a former assistant coach with the Kings for more than 10 seasons, also is near the top in several statistical categories for LA defensemen - including third most games played (616), second most assists, third most points and fifth most penalty minutes. He was also part of the Kings run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993.

Johnson, most recently, has been coaching youth hockey in Orange County. He originally arrived in Los Angles as part of the epic 1996 trade that saw Wayne Gretzky dealt to St. Louis. After playing more than seven seasons for the Kings, he was a Mighty Duck for one year (2003-04). After a few more NHL stops, he wrapped up his on-ice career by playing a few seasons in Europe.

Hardy was one of the Kings assistant coaches during most of Johnson's time with the Kings.

Following up on today's earlier interview, here's Kemp with an A to Z look at the coaching situation in Ontario, including specific comments about how Hardy and Johnson might fit in...

Many frustrations for Ontario Reign President Justin Kemp

The Ontario Reign, proud affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings (that's their slogan), have been in the news quite a bit lately.

First, there were grumblings they were looking to create an affiliation with a second NHL team. This wasn't completely shocking news, as their team President, Justin Kemp, gently voiced his desire to get more support from the Kings in his pre-season interview here on MayorsManor last October.

Like he acknowledged then though, the Kings' number one priority is winning a Stanley Cup in Los Angeles. Thus, they need to do what's right for the parent organization first (when it comes to player development). Unfortunately, that may mean they don't have many prospects available for the ECHL.

The second Reign news item was that coach Karl Taylor had left to become an assistant with Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Chicago.

Oh by the way, that hiring came out of discussions the Reign were having with the Canucks about becoming that second NHL affiliate.  Sound a little fishy?

Earlier today, I sat down with Kemp again to address the entire situation.

Rather than splice it all up and just use selected quotes for an article, here are some of his raw comments...

- On the idea of adding a second NHL affiliate - "It started at the end of this last season. I went to Karl and asked him, we had struggled to get some help from the LA Kings over our first three years. Missing the playoffs the last two seasons, obviously, we needed some sort of a jolt - something to get the fans excited about. So, we inquired about what other affiliations were out there as a possible secondary affiliate. Vancouver seemed to be the best choice. They were going deep into the playoffs at that time. So, those discussion initially began between Karl and the Canucks. I came into the picture a few weeks later. We thought we're about a phone call or so away from getting a deal done. Ultimately, what happened is, they pulled back because LA was not in favor of us having a secondary affiliate. I think Vancouver wanted to be respectful of that."

Confusion reigning between Kings and ECHL affiliate?

Being an ECHL affiliate to an NHL team isn't quite as glamorous as it might seem on the surface.

The way hockey is structured, most top prospects are either playing major-junior in Canada - via the WHL, OHL and QMJHL - or are enrolled at an American University. Once the player is a little older, he's usually sent to the AHL before eventually joining his NHL team.

So, where does the ECHL fit it? Good question, actually. As far as prospects go, goaltenders seem to find the most success there - simply because there are only two goaltending slots on other teams, compared to at least seven defenseman and 12 forwards.  So, from a numbers standpoint, it's easy to see why a goalie ends up in the ECHL.  Hey, it worked out for Jonathan Quick - who spent most of his 2007-08 season with the ECHL's Reading Royals.

That said, several players on the Monarchs roster last season had at least spent some time in Ontario, the Kings' ECHL affiliate, over the few seasons prior - including their leading goal scorer, Bud Holloway, plus forward Jordan Nolan, defenseman Colten Teubert and goaltender Jeff Zatkoff.

However, last season the Kings weren't much help to Ontario. Goalie Martin Jones started the season there - only to be sent to Manchester after playing just one game (due to Erik Ersberg returning to Europe).

Prior to the start of last season, in an interview on MayorsManor, Reign President Justin Kemp said, "We're probably the biggest pains in the butt to (the Kings)...we try and try and try (to get players from them). The truth of the matter is, they're tyring to work on their own things...We have a lot more to gain from certain players coming here than they do. Sometimes we don't always see eye to eye. But, we continue to push."

Even so, Reign coach Karl Taylor noted on several occasions last season that he wished the Kings were able to supply him with more talent.

Don Mattingly says 2012 will be 'Year of LA Kings, Dodgers'

Dodgers' Don Mattingly at LA Kings game

Forget the fact that the Dodgers are about a dozen back with 50-something games remaining. Matt Kemp insisted to me on Friday night his club was still in the race.

They've gone 2-2 since then and to borrow a phrase Vin Scully has probably used, the season is slipping away like sand through an hour glass.

While Kemp's optimism may be a breath of fresh air in what's starting to look more and more like an otherwise forgettable baseball season in Los Angeles, manager Don Mattingly still has big plans...just not for this year.

Unlike Kemp, Mattingly claims he's a bit of a hockey fan. "I've kind of slowly paid attention to things," reflected Mattingly. He spends his winters back home in Indiana, where he claims "there's not a whole lot of hockey going on." So, you'll have to excuse him when he says, "I still have trouble with all the names and everything. But, I love watching it."

Pro athletes are always impressed with what hockey players do on a nightly basis.  Competing in a team sport is one thing, but doing it on skates adds a whole new level of complexity. "It's pretty amazing what they do on the ice," Mattingly expressed. "The toughness, I love. Those guys are so tough. Some of them never come out of a game."

It's not entirely surprising that Mattingly appreciates that aspect of hockey.  Nicknamed 'Donnie Baseball,' he probably would have made a great hockey player too, had he chose that route.  Simply put, he was a gamer and one of those 'character' guys Kings GM Dean Lombardi constantly seeks.

Matt Kemp unwilling to follow James Loney onto Kings ice

Over the past several seasons the Kings and Dodgers have maintained a friendly marketing relationship.

Players from both sides have visited the home turf of the other sport and helped promote their team and a greater sense of community between their fans.

Prior to last night's Kings-themed evening at Dodger Stadium, I spoke to first baseman James Loney - who was eager to come down to Staples Center and not just watch a game, but take part in warm-ups on the ice.

After the Dodgers downed the Diamondbacks 9-5, Matt Kemp didn't exactly share his teammate's enthusiasm for participation - "Nah, them boys are pretty rough, man. I don't think I'm too good on ice either. I'm a little clumsy. So, they got me on that. I'll definitely come watch a game. But, I don't think I'm going to get on that ice."

Like Loney, he hasn't formally been introduced to the NHL yet. "I've never been to a pro hockey game," said Kemp. "The first game I went to was a CHL game, the Oklahoma City Blazers. That was a long time ago."

Ontario Reign Coach on Poor Season - 'It's All On Me'

Last night was another sellout crowd at Citizen's Business Bank Arena in Ontario. And on the ice, the Reign lost another game.

Wait...they won 3-1.

Losing has become such a frequent thing for the team this year it's easy to assume it happened again. However, it didn't. The goaltending - which has been a point of concern all year long - was strong and the offense came through when it needed to.

Prior to the season starting, the Reign had high hopes of returning to the playoffs after just barely missing out last year.

On the eve of game one, their President Justin Kemp was on MayorsManor and emphatically said coach Karl Taylor was "not on the hot seat."  Fast forward 71 games and they have 38 losses, tops in the league.

They'll play their final home game tonight, before another sellout crowd.  But, where do they go from here?

Some thoughts from Taylor after the game last night...

Kings Take The Field For Opening Day at Dodger Stadium

Dustin Brown - captain or catcher?

Over the last few seasons, the Kings and Dodgers have developed a more-than-friendly relationship.

In fact, when cross promoting each other, the home team had a perfect 6-0 record until just a few months ago.

Later this afternoon the boys in blue will take the field at Dodger Stadium against the hated San Francisco Giants to begin their new season.

After writing many times over the last few years about the parallels of these two teams - i.e. GMs from division rivals, tons of young talent, just one key player away from a possible run at a championship, etc. - I thought I'd go a different route in honor of Opening Day.

Which Kings players would step in for the Dodgers if they took over the starting line-up? Here's a quick look...

First Baseman, James Loney is... Dustin Brown - the all around, solid ball player that is under appreciated and underrated, even in his own town.

Second Baseman, Juan Uribe is... Justin Williams - somebody who put up good numbers with a different club, but you never truly appreciate how good he is until he's on your team.

Shortstop, Rafael Furcal is... Drew Doughty - either of these players could easily be called the best players on their team and be recognized as league MVPs in any year.

Interview w/ Justin Kemp - Ontario Reign President

Minor league hockey sure has come a long way in Southern California. From a dilapidated building in San Diego during the 90's to games in front of just a few hundred fans inside Long Beach Arena as recently as a couple of years ago, the times they are a changing.

Later tonight the ECHL's Ontario Reign - proud affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings - will host the Stockton Thunder in the home opener of their 2010-11 season.  The arena will probably be packed, just as it has been since they played their first game there two seasons ago. 

They were second in league attendance during their inaugural campaign and topped that by leading the entire 19-team league last season.

Several players on the current roster of the Kings top minor league franchise, the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL, have previously played for the Reign - including goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, defenseman Colten Teubert and forward Bud Holloway.

The synergies between the Kings and their affiliates aren't just on the ice.  The team continues to strengthen their hockey presence and brand awareness by building a strong relationship with the Reign.

What better way to get things started tonight than to hear from the man in charge of the whole operation, Team President, Justin Kemp...

MM:  Given the past attempts to bring this level of hockey to Southern California - not to mention there are two NHL teams here now - are you surprised by the success you guys have had in Ontario?