Thank you

I was hoping to write this as I waited to catch a flight out this morning, but I was a sleepwalking zombie who had trouble telling the cab driver which airport to take him to, let alone attempting to string together some words of reflection and appreciation to all who have spent time and effort in evolving this website into an enormous online Los Angeles Kings community.

That community was created long before I arrived, and a special thank you also needs to be expressed to Rich Hammond for the excellent, objective reporting that forms the backbone of this site. Among the perks of this job has been reconnecting with Rich over the last two playoff rounds at media scrums, inside press boxes, outside locker rooms, at media dinners and behind the glass at the Toyota Sports Center. Rich remains a very popular and highly respected member of those who cover the Los Angeles Kings, and I hope the OC Register continues to assign him to hockey detail in addition to his USC reporting for the 2013-14 season if that is in his interests as well.

When I was interviewing for this job, one general philosophy that the Kings and I agreed on was that it was my duty to introduce a conversation that would allow the commenters and users of this site to branch compelling dialogue off in many directions. That has certainly continued, and I am very appreciative for the encouragement, suggestions and constructive rebuttal that have taken place over the last four and a half months.

Thank you for your continued visits, and for reading and sharing your Kings passion on LA Kings Insider.

-Jon Rosen

A few minor notes:

-I’ll have a retrospective of the season and the playoffs later this evening. It will still be called “Waking Up With The Kings” because “Sleeping In With The Kings” and “Settling Down For Dinner With The Kings” sound awkward and terrible.

-There will still be regular coverage of the Kings and their prospects and alumni in addition to NHL coverage on this blog throughout the summer. I plan on writing a general outline of the summer schedule tomorrow morning with key dates included. I should have a general sense of the team’s exit meeting and media availability schedule at that time as well.