Before 2012, if citizens of Los Angeles were asked about their hockey team, they would not know how to respond.   This is because of how badly the Los Angeles Kings played.  In the last 20 years, they had only made it past the first round of the playoffs twice, in 1993 and 2001. Now, they have made a name for themselves; the Kings won the Stanley Cup in the last full season and went to the conference finals last year during a half-season, which was due to a lockout.  Since the 2012 championship, the team has kept its young core together and has seen a lot of progress from the players of the Manchester Monarchs, the King’s minor league affiliate.  This year, they hope to climb back to the top and regain the Stanley Cup.  The team has the weapons to do so with all-star goalie Jonathan Quick and veteran forwards Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar.

Quick is taking over the National Hockey League and earning mentions as one of the best goalies in hockey.  He is especially renowned for his clutch performances during the playoffs; over the last two years he has posted a 94 percent save percentage and only allowed 1.6 goals per game.  He also won the 2012 Conn Smythe Award, which is given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. The Kings recognized the great goalie by extending his $58 million contract through 2023.  Quick is also eyeing the 2014 Winter Olympics, as he hopes to be team America’s starting goalie throughout the Olympic games.

Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar are entering their 10th and 8th seasons as Kings players and are the emotional and lead the team as captains. Brown is known for his extremely aggressive and physical play and leads the team by example. In recent seasons, he also finished in the top ten in hits in six of the last seven years. Kopitar is a skilled player who is known for his great two-way playing style and has also been the King’s leading scorer in each of the last six years.  These two players, combined with Quick, give the Kings a good chance of having a stellar season.  Stay tuned this season to see the sensational team excel.