MayorsManor Live Radio with LA Kings rookie Dwight King

After a six game call-up in November 2010, Dwight King returned to the AHL with zero points and a minus-2 rating to show for his efforts. Unlike when his Manchester Monarchs teammates Andrei Loktionov and Slava Voynov had been called up and sent down over the last two seasons, you’d be hard pressed to find somebody leading the ‘We demand King comes back!’ fan club.

Sure, he was visible on the ice – standing 6-foot-3 at 234 lbs, he’s just a tad smaller than big men Dustin Penner and Kevin Westgarth – yet he didn’t seem to have anything special at the time. Now, in fairness, he was a 21-year old playing in the best league in the world. It’s easy to get swallowed up and few people come in and set the NHL on fire in their first 10 games.

Regardless, he went back to the minor leagues and finished out a strong season, posting 52 points (third best on the team) and 24 goals (second best).  He returned to the Monarchs last season after being one of the last players assigned there coming out of Kings training camp.

Then, in early February, his life changed forever.

King played the final 27 regular season games for LA and all 20 games in the post-season.  Now, he’s a Stanley Cup Champion.

With the NHL lockout underway for the last month or so, it looked like he’d be a man without a home in North America – as it was believed he’d have to pass through waivers if he wanted to play in Manchester.  However, there was a loophole in the process and on today’s MayorsManor show King will explain exactly how the deal came together that has him back with the Monarchs and ready for his season debut this coming weekend.

Here’s a few other topics we’ll cover…

– His new two-year deal with the Kings

– Why go to Manchester now instead of joining the team for training camp?

– Canadian Heritage Night

– Watching games from the press box in Manchester (as pictured above, via Tom Green photo)

– Being linked with Jordan Nolan

– Nolan’s hand injury

– Will he be roommates with Jake Muzzin again?

– Daryl Hannah, the actress …and Darryl Sutter

– Training with the WHL’s Victoria Royals during the lockout

– His summer and ‘Day with the Stanley Cup’

– Getting help from the veteran players in LA and more

Sit back and enjoy…

NOTE: If you’re on an ipad or iphone, click here to listen to today’s episode.

Many other Kings related guests have joined us recently as well – including Jeff Carter, Dustin Penner, Monarchs coach Mark Morris, prospects Tyler Toffoli, Brandon Kozun and dozens more – click here to see the full list of shows.

Also, be sure to check out Kevin Westgarth’s appearance from last Friday here.  He’s the Kings player rep and has been heavily involved in the CBA negotiations.  He stopped by to clear up much of the confusion and share his take on what’s really been going on.  Very interesting stuff related to the lockout – don’t miss it.

Thanks for listening!

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