from Rob Blake, Ted Irvine, Anze Kopitar, Luc Robitaille AND Charlie Simmer at the Players' Tribune,

Rob Blake (1989–2001, ’06–08)

I was in my college dorm at Bowling Green the day Wayne Gretzky got traded. It’s certainly one of those “I know where I was” moments for anyone in the hockey world. So when the King’s called me up to play the final four games of the NHL season a year and a half later, I knew I’d get to meet him.

“Hey, I’m Wayne Gretzky, nice to meet you,” he said, right as I walked into the dressing room of the Forum for the first time.

All I could think was: I know exactly who you are. I have your posters on my wall!

Ted Irvine (1967–70)

Yeah, it wasn’t quite like that for us back in in 1967, I can assure you of that. The Kings were the first real step into California for the NHL, and there were definitely some growing pains. First and foremost was fielding a team. The expansion draft back then wasn’t at all like what is today. The original six owners just didn’t want to give up any of their players — plain and simple. So our team was made up of minor leaguers … and also the legend, Terry Sawchuk.

read on