Earlier today the the Los Angeles Kings announced the signing of unrestricted free agent Alexei Ponikarovsky. And although he was formerly known as "The Poni Express", out in Hollywood...er, Hockeywood...he'll simply be Poni Boy.
Here are 10 Tidbits to get you primed and ready to go on the Kings newest left wing...with a special twitter twist:
* First question out of the gate, does Ponikarovsky have the longest last name of any player in Kings history? No. Well, he's tied. There's the popular Mike Krushelnyski from the end of the 80s. Then, according to several alert tweeters - including @KingsKoolAid, @kevinsyoung and @LHHockey - you also have Sheldon Kannegiesser ('73-77) and Steve Clippingdale (16 games in '76-77) checking in with 12 letters. @SoundFlyer14 thinks Frank St. Marseille tops them all with 13 "units" (including the period and space). But, I don't count that way. That's just me.
* The comparisons to Alexander Frolov are almost too easy - both could be classified as "classic underachievers". They've even played for the same teams back in Russia, just not concurrently. Frolov spent time with Krylja Sovetov in '01-02 (just before joining the Kings), while Poni played there three seasons prior. During the NHL lockout in '04, Frolov spent some time at home playing for Moscow Dynamo. Poni was there from '98-00 (ironically, just before he came over to play for the Maple Leafs).
* Similar to Ilya Kovalchuck's apparent obsession with the number 17, Poni has one he favors too. Supposedly, he's been wearing 23 to honor his grandparents and wife, who were all born that day. He'll need a new number in LA though. Dustin Brown isn't trading that for a trip to Hawaii or a year's membership at a nice country club.
