We’ve been following the World Junior Championships here, and it’s easy to forget that Kyle Clifford could easily be in Buffalo right now playing in that tournament. Clifford doesn’t turn 20 until next month, so he was eligible for the World Juniors — and participated in a summer training camp for Team Canada — but Clifford is now a lineup regular for the Kings, and there was no thought that he might leave and go play in the tournament. Clifford is developing into a reliable third-line winger who is praised for his work ethic. In the locker room, Clifford is friendly but quiet and respectful, and Terry Murray had great praise for Clifford’s attitude. Today, Murray jokingly talked about the Kings’ “plan” to keep Clifford away from Team Canad….
MURRAY: “We all felt he should have been selected last year and he wasn’t, so we decided to keep him so they couldn’t have an opportunity to get him this year. Take that. [laughs] Well, I’m glad he hasn’t come to me and asked if he could go. I would have been disappointed. He’s making great strides here, and he’s a great kid. It’s great to see the attitude that he brings every day to the practice. Going to the rink early, to get himself ready. Every game, he’s on the first bus. He’s just a rink rat. He wants to play the game and play the right way, and he wants to become a very successful pro hockey player for a long time. He’s doing all the right stuff, with his respect for the game, for the veteran players. He’s showing to us, the coaches, that he will do whatever it takes, putting in the work, the time, to keep our trust and keep it going on the ice.”
You would never have guessed that about Clifford when you see that crazy look on his face before, during and after a fight. You can see his skills and kowledge getting better each week and it looks like DL found another diamond in the rough.
[Reply]
Hard to believe the kid is only 19.
[Reply]
Love that in today’s world of ego maniacs, this kid has the old work ethic and drive.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
@happylappy,
That’s why I love hockey…
Less egos, more love of the sport.
That’s a rock solid temperament right there for Clifford.
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, That’s what I tell all the people who ask me why I love this sport so much,me a southern California surfer boy.
[Reply]
I’ve read a lot of the comments, you guys know your hockey, well most of you. I wrote as a stringer for AP throughout the 80′s and 2 yrs. into the Great one’s King’s career. Covered most of the homes games. Just love hockey and the new excitment of the fans.
[Reply]
He reminds me a lot of Simmonds. Grinders who can score, leave it all out on the ice and loved by teammates.
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
@Joey, yeah, he’s just like him with what I think will be a better scoring touch.
[Reply]
World Jr. Champ. coming up on NHL network in a couple of mins. Get to watch some of our future stars!
[Reply]
I’ve been one of the handful of Lombardi and Murray supporters on this blog for the past couple of years and we are seeing the beginning payback of this long term plan. I say beginning because the team that we see on the ice now will not be the same team we see in five or ten years, but the foundation and the framework that has been built will continue to produce impressive results.
As a Kings fan for close to 25 years, I have never seen this organization have so much depth, so much cohesion and purpose, it’s truly inspirational.
Lombardi’s pick of character, talent, heart and desire with Murray’s patient mentoring and defense first attitude is producing a solid corps of players with a positive, winning attitude that it is bound to produce some magic. The irony is that while the Kings have never really been able to draw quality players to the team, now, quality players will be clamoring to come here but there won’t be available spots! The talent will be in-grown. That’s a fine position to be in. Kudos to Lombardi and co as well as Murray and the coaching staff for doing such an incredible job. Kudos also to ownership for giving them the opportunity, the money, the tools, the time, and the patience to fulfill this vision. And to all of those looking for Lombardi or Murray’s head over the past couple of years as well as whining about absent ownership, let this be a lesson to you.
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
@dMan, I agree, I suffered along with u and many others, watching the Kings trade away their picks for Big Name over the hill Montreal players.
[Reply]
leo of pico Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
@dMan, it is great that you have been a fan of the LA Kings and that you think now everything is great with the salary cap and all these kids comeing up in the system the LA KINGS are on the rise but it was a couple of weeks ago nobody was talking like it has a Champion now it has changed again the KINGS have not done nothing yet but you already have given managment the cup
[Reply]
Jadedtool Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
@leo of pico, Huh? I think credit is being given where credit is due!!
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
@leo of pico, I think he is just saying that this franchise is poised for success. No one is planning a parade yet so there is no need to rain on it.
[Reply]
wow, high praise for the kid. how often do you see a kid this age with the skills, the size, AND the drive? here is a guy that inspires the entire team and even the coaches! amazing….
[Reply]
Nice goal, 1-0 Canada
[Reply]
One word CHARECTER. Thats what this teams built around and im glad Dean made that his priority.
[Reply]
get rid of westgarth, clifford can be our enforcer and be on the 3rd line, brings back memories of number 33 Mcsorly =D
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
@kennynakamoto, only one problem, you don’t want Cliffy in the box for 5 or 10 min. a game.
[Reply]
SCHENN SCORES AGAIN!
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@happylappy,
I detect a sense of purpose to Schenn’s play…
He’s got a major point to prove.
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, yeah, think he wants to show TM he should have kept him with the Kings.
[Reply]
I bet there are a lot of happy hockey players on non-Canda teams regarding Clifford not being there. The guy beats the crap out of NHL players. Don’t want to even think what he would do to Juniors.
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
@KC23, Clifford fights just like he plays, ALL OUT ALL THE TIME, has an unbeliveable motor.
[Reply]
the rout is on 4-0 canada
[Reply]
oops 4-1
[Reply]
Shenn again 5-1, rout is back on!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
@happylappy, LOL! Make up your mind.
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@Dominick, can’t type fast enough to keep up with the goals! lol 6-1
[Reply]
If politicians could be like hockey players….
Clifford is going to be our Lappy 2.0. This kid is going to be fun to watch for many years to come.
I also like how Schenner is listening to Ryan Smyth so much. I would mind him becoming a Ryan Smyth 2.0 either.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@Cynic, It would be nice if he can finish like Smyth. Just watched Schenn fan on yet another perfect pass. He had so much time he was able to corral it and shoot again to score. He has brain freeze on his one-timers.
[Reply]
happylappy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
@Cynic, hey, everyone LOVED Lappy, fans and players, I see Clifford as a great team mate, but Lappy was so funny and outgoing. Cliffy the strong silent type.
[Reply]
Schenn with the HAT TRICK!!!
[Reply]