Family ties strong for King, Nolan

It’s been well-chronicled that Jordan Nolan — who played his first two NHL games over the weekend and scored his first goal — is the son of former NHL player and coach Ted Nolan. But Dwight King, who was called up along with Nolan and also scored his first NHL goal Sunday, also has an NHL family tie, as his older brother D.J. has played parts of the last six seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals. D.J. King is now playing for the AHL’s Hershey Bears, but Dwight King said the brothers chatted and compared notes about how to get to the NHL and, more importantly, how to stay there.

KING: “He’s very supportive, obviously. He knows how I play and he knows what I can do to be effective. He basically just emphasizes going out there and working hard every shift. He knows this is an opportunity for me, and it’s not going to come around every day, so just continue to focus on every chance I get. That’s pretty much his advice.’’

The King brothers also went head-to-head in the AHL last month, when Dwight’s Manchester Monarchs beat D.J.’s Hershey Bears twice in a two-game series.

KING: “It was only the second time we’ve ever played against each other, so it was definitely fun. Our parents came up, and sister came up, to watch. It was a great memory.’’

As for the Nolans, Jordan’s mother and brother were able to attend his NHL debut on Long Island, and Ted Nolan might be headed to town as well. Ted Nolan is the head coach of Latvia’s national team, but Jordan Nolan said his dad is headed back to Canada and might come to the West Coast to watch the Kings. Jordan Nolan said he hadn’t had time for any in-depth feedback from his dad yet…

NOLAN: “Not yet. He has watched a few games. He’s just trying to make me feel good about myself, saying I worked hard out there, and just to keep it going.’’

Coincidentally, Nolan’s debut came against the New York Islanders, the team his dad coached for two seasons.

NOLAN: “I don’t know if it was special. It was a pretty cool experience, knowing that my dad coached there. So I’m a little familiar with that rink. I was happy to play anywhere.’’