from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

The ceremony the Kings staged to retire Rob Blake's jersey was very much like Blake himself: unpretentious, mostly understated but illuminated by genuine emotion that hit home as hard as any punch to the gut.

The emotional jolts Saturday weren't as obvious as the thunderous hip checks that became Blake's trademark, one of many facets of an outstanding two-way game that earned him induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year.

The most affecting moments during the 35-minute ceremony were the respect that made Dustin Brown's voice quiver as he praised Blake for teaching a bunch of players how to be a real team and begin the transformation of the Kings from wannabes to winners, and the passion displayed by General Manager Dean Lombardi for the man he called "one of our greatest Kings," who passed every possible test of athletic greatness.

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Below, watch Rob Blake's speech and the banner raising ceremony...