This year’s NHL Draft could be a big one for Southern California kids, as five of them are ranked in the top 100 by NHL Central Scouting. Emerson Etem of Long Beach is ranked No. 8 and probably will be gone by the time the Kings pick, but a couple mock drafts have suggested the Kings might go the homegrown route at No. 19 and take Torrance native Beau Bennett, who is ranked No. 32. There’s also 51st ranked Jason Zucker of Newport Beach, 68th-ranked Jacob Fallon of Riverside and 88th-ranked Jacob Aronson of Placentia. NHL.com did a nice feature story on them that you can find here…
Gretzky-generation Californians get noticed at Draft
Also, here’s an interesting Q&A done with Kings scout Steve Greeley, which sheds some light on the pre-draft process, followed by two more of the Kings’ draft quizzes.
it seems ironic that the article quotes Pat Brisson about watching the CA kids start playing ice hockey in the late 1980s and early 1990s, at that time he was working at the Iceoplex in North Hills and was doing his best to make sure all of their mom’s were well taken care of too!
[Reply]
txkingsfan Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@txkingsfan, I mean in the most respectful PR way possible, of course.
[Reply]
Re: Tomorrow’s Draft
There will be a gathering at the Yard House bar/restaurant at 1pm tomorrow (across from Staples) for a pre-draft party. Everyone is welcome. I imagine everyone will go into Staples around 3 or so.
For more info visit:
http://deepinsidethekings.com/2010/06/22/as-draft-day-approaches/
[Reply]
Duckhunter Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
@wavesinair,
Are tickets still available? Can’t commit because it’s my daughters birthday tomorrow. If I’m done with the party scene in time I’ll make the drive. So, I guess my question is, can I get tickets at the box office if needed?
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
@Duckhunter,
There should be no problem getting you a ticket. I know of 2 people who have 4 extras each so if you want to go and you email me beforehand, I’m sure I can hook you up.
[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
@wavesinair, What is the parking situation like? Do the STH tickets come with parking, or is everyone on their own? Will LA Live restaurants validate long enough to go to the Draft if we are also eating? I’ve tried calling my ticket rep and have not received any answers.
wavesinair Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@Darrell,
I don’t think the tickets come with parking. I’m not sure about la live parking and validation. I just park at one of the lots about a block away for 10-20 bucks and walk.
LBlocal Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@Duckhunter, Hey man. I too have extra tickets available. Let me know. And, Happy b-day to the ‘junior’ Kings fan in your brood.
[Reply]
Duckhunter Reply:
June 25th, 2010 at 12:40 am
@LBlocal,
What’s up LB!?
My daughter says,”thanks for the Birthday wishes.”
I’ll be meeting up with Waves and a few others at the YardHouse. I’ll be there in between 2 and 3. Will you be gracing us with your presents?
Duckhunter Reply:
June 25th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
@LBlocal.
Hahahaha, you don’t have to bring presents, I meant presence.
LBlocal Reply:
June 25th, 2010 at 8:43 am
@Duckhunter, It’s gonna be tight. Stuck here at work until 1, then taking the blue line up. I’ll do my best to meet up with the crew. Peace.
GO KINGS GO!!!
[Reply]
Duckhunter Reply:
June 25th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
@LBlocal,
Call me when you arrive. Leave a message in case I don’t hear it. 909 223-3308
Quiz 5… Ouch. Two out of five (thougt it was probably Glavine but put Smoltz which would have made it 3/5. You upped your game Rich!
[Reply]
Off Topic:
It appears the Chicago Fire Sale sold out rather quickly, San Jose gathered in Marleau and Pavelski and the Habs hung on to Plekanic.
Guess who that leaves????
[Reply]
David Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
@USHA#17, Frolov!!
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
@David,
Yeah! Repackage him (drop his given first name) and call him “a 40 goal scorer who is in the process of developing the defensive side of his game” and what do we get? A fresh face! Whoa, whoa, whoa, how many millions?
[Reply]
LOL at these rumors that Quick is on the trading block and we will be getting Tim Thomas to back up Bernier…also Hartnell? Jesus Christ ENOUGH with Hartnell. HE SUCKS!
Linky …http://nhlsourcessay.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
Rich, or anyone else:
Where is Emverson Etem ranked #8 overall? I have seen rankings where he is #8 AMONG NORTH AMERICAN SKATERS. Overall I’ve seen him ranked anywhere from #10 to #45.
[Reply]
The sole reason I started watching the Kings (and hockey in general) was because of Wayne Gretzky. Now my kids are starting to play ice hockey and are obsessed with the Kings.
I’m not sure Gretzky will ever know the impact he had on hockey in the southwest region of the US. I just wish I could thank him in person sometime.
[Reply]
txkingsfan Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
@Jammers, I will tell you from personal knowledge that Wayne not only knows what he did for hockey in CA but he is very humbled by it. You would not believe the amount of time and energy he and guys like McSorely, Luc, Steve Duschense, Dave Taylor, and many, many more gave to the kids and their families as they were learning the game. Gretz sometimes an hour after his son Ty played to talk to people, take pictures, and sign autographs. He didn’t have to but he did. He was always approachable and one of the main reasons that hockey players in general have the reputation of being the nicest, most approachable pro players of all.
[Reply]
I hope we dont go the home grown route just to get a rise out of the crowd. From what i remember wasn’t Pavel Rosa a home grown player? And where is he now?! I have faith that DL will choose the best play available. And Kovi signing will only be at the right price.. We wanna be good for more then just one or two yrs. GO KINGS!!
[Reply]
NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@PurpleNGold, From Wikipedea:
Pavel Rosa (born June 7, 1977 in Most, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech professional ice hockey forward who plays for Kärpät.
[Reply]
Matt R Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
@PurpleNGold,
Pavel Rosa is from Czech Republic. If you want a homegrown examples, Gabe Gauthier is from Torrance I believe, and Noah Clarke is from La Verne.
But agreed, DL wouldn’t pick a hometown kid just for the fun of it. He certainly would if he thought the kid was the best available at that spot.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@PurpleNGold,
Pavel was a Czech who happened to just be another is a long line of King disappointments.
[Reply]
“L.A. goaltending story
Jonathan Quick’s name has somehow surfaced in Internet-fueled trade rumors involving the Los Angeles Kings goalie.
“Yeah, I read that the other day. There’s no way. He’s not going anywhere,” Kings GM Dean Lombardi told ESPN.com on Thursday. ”
- Pierre LeBrun
[Reply]
Not like DL to trade someone who played his heart out for him selflessly. I think Quick stays and don’t be surprised if he still ends up the number 1 goalie. Quick has a huge heart and we all shouldn’t be so “quick” to discount him.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
@KC23,
Really don’t know what DL would or would not do other then not squander cap space.
No one is untouchable given the right deal. I remember the Kings once traded the heart and soul of the team (Terry Harper, Dan Maloney) for Dionne.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
@USHA#17,
I had an after thought. Maybe the Kings can bring Paval Rosa back and offer him to Kovalchuk as house boy for 10 years in exchange for knocking $1M/Year off his demands.
[Reply]
Rich, it’s Taylor Aronson. Not Jacob.
[Reply]