Thread: Kings fan since 1969 (GKG since 8 years old)

I remember my first Kings game in 1969, I was a 3rd grader. My dad took me and my other brothers. Butch Goring and Lonsberry were my favorite players at that time and their 3 rotated goalies all had above 3.0 GAA.

Having successfully played football, basketball and baseball in Southern California, ice hockey was always that ultra unique, elusive and unusually appealing sport to me. We had no outdoor ice or freezing weather in Los Angeles and access to any kind of an ice skating rink in the surrounding 20 miles back then was minimal. So, it just wasn't a sport I really could have ever played given my geography and the community I grew up in. I think that is what has made professional hockey so much more interesting and intriguing to me throughout my life and I always thought of this as the reason the LA Kings had not won a Stanley Cup yet! The team is better and more balanced then ever (2011-2012) and I'm still excited to be/remain a fan of the team. I attend games every season and love to mingle with other Kings fans. When I'm not at Staples (which is a 50 mile trek), I enjoy hosting sporting events.

I am a high energy sports fan that loves to engage in banter and sports theory. I have been blessed to have been able to attend more than 400 NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB events (including Finals, Bowls and Series) and > 200 rock concerts so far in my life.

I am forever on the hunt for a custom Kings Jersey that will fit my small Boston Terrier. Any suggestions or leads would be deeply appreciated.

GKG.

Welcome aboard! What's your favorite Kings memory?

Welcome aboard!

Enjoyed reading your introduction.

.. so.. what time should I show up for the playoff viewing party at your house?

Thank you.

I would say meeting Jerry Buss in 1980 a year after he bought the Kings, and meeting (getting signatures) from the Triple Crown who had scored a combined 146 goals,182 assists (328 points).

My favorite Kings TV memory recently became when (on April 7th between periods in San Jose) Bob Miller bashed and pleaded the NHL to change the rules after the Clowe incident a couple days prior.

And yours?

30 minutes prior to drop! We drink, but don't often eat, in the viewing room!

Welcome.

I also went to my first game in 1969. I was 4, so you've got me by a little.

Butch Goring lived up the hill from me in Culver City.

Welcome

Originally Posted by johnruuu

Thank you.

I would say meeting Jerry Buss in 1980 a year after he bought the Kings, and meeting (getting signatures) from the Triple Crown the same night who had scored a combined 146 goals,182 assists (328 points).

My favorite Kings TV memory recently became when (on April 7th between periods in San Jose) Bob Miller bashed and pleaded the NHL to change the rules after the Clowe incident a couple days prior.

And yours?

That must have been cool to meet Jerry Buss and the Triple Crown Line. My favorite, as the nametag would suggest, was when the Kings been Toronto in game 7 in 1993 to reach the SC Finals.

Originally Posted by 05/29/93

That must have been cool to meet Jerry Buss and the Triple Crown Line. My favorite, as the nametag would suggest, was when the Kings been Toronto in game 7 in 1993 to reach the SC Finals.

A fine and memorable line and event in Kings history indeed! It's time for the franchise get there again I think. Slightly different approach now, almost 20 years later, with an excellent spread and depth of talent throughout their roster. I do sense more Kings history in the making this year in the playoffs like they had in 93.

Another memorable side story you might find intriguing (and I am intentionally going to be a bit vague in):

In very recent years (in my hairless years), I was invited and had the pleasure to be beyond the tunnel at Staples one pre-game during the playoffs. Red coats everywhere. The Kings were just outside of the locker room, staying loose, kicking a soccer ball around to each other prior to dressing. The ball went rogue at one point as they were consistently kicking to each other without it touching the ground. The rogue ball dislodged a ceiling tile. Red coats converged to assist, but the players insisted on fixing it themselves, did so and kept on playing...

It's with that kind of heart and integrity, and more talent available on their team this year, that I have every confidence in their ability to prevail deeper into the playoffs this year. With the late season additions of Sutter at the helm and Carter (I call them the S&C factor) the Kings have a serious show now for several years forward. Let's expect that they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready for the challenges ahead starting Wednesday and that we all can reflect on new greatest memories!