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You are here: Home / comments / Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings are going to Europe

Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings are going to Europe

August 4, 2011 By John Hoven

A few weeks ago I joked that it must be contract week, as several Kings prospects and players were busy getting deals inked.

Well, today is ‘address the cynics’ day here at MayorsManor.

This morning I posted comments from Luc Robitaille, Kings President of Business Operations, explaining the how and why behind the team’s jersey changes for next season.

In a summer filled with more positive vibes than any other in recent memory – from the trade for Mike Richards on down – we’d be remiss to at least not address one of the few news item that’s caused a little bit of confusion.

Why are the Kings opening the season in Europe? Some point to the fact AEG owns the arenas. OK, fine. Are there any other reasons and even so, how does management feel about it?

Here’s one man’s opinion…

“We were asked by the league. We talked with them and they’re (only) picking so many teams,” Robitaille started out with. “To me, it wasn’t a big deal. I kind of like the experience for the players. Yeah, for sure, you think you want to play your games at home. But, 15 years from now those players can say, ‘Wow, I got to play a game in Berlin.’ I think that’s very special. Those are great memories for the players that they’ll cherish later – like, someday when they retire.”

Fine, that’s years down the road. However, at least one thing on his mind that tied back to the upcoming campaign – “There was certainly something inside of me that (kept coming back to) the last three Stanley Cup winners started in Europe. So, once I heard we had a chance to go to Europe, I said I want to go!”

The Kings will open the NHL regular season with a game vs. the New York Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden on Friday, October 7.  They’ll also play the following night in Berlin, Germany – taking on the Buffalo Sabres.

Once they return to the US, the Kings will play at New Jersey and Philadelphia.  Then, St. Louis will visit Staples Center for the Kings home opener on Tuesday, October 18.

Back to Richards for a quick moment… to see what the Kings new center – and former Flyers captain – had to say about that first game vs. the Rangers, be sure to click the link below.

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RELATED ARTICLES:

Mike Richards looking forward to first game with Kings – talks ‘hatred’ for Rangers, fights with Dubinsky

Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings changed jerseys

Kings ‘most likely’ opening next season in Europe

Filed Under: comments, hockey, Interview, Kings, Los Angeles, NHL, Rangers, Sabres, schedule Tagged With: Buffalo, comments, Europe, hockey, Los Angeles, New York, Premiere, quote, Richards, Robitaille, schedule, Stockholm, Sweden

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a former member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He's also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles and Hockey Blog of the Year. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" below for a full bio.

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Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 152 with Vladislav Gavrikov

Kings Of The Podcast hosts John Hoven and Dennis Bernstein are back with an all-new episode and they’re joined by new LA defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. And, yes, the questions you want asked will be served up and answered by GM Rob Blake’s latest acquisition. It’s a fun-filled hour that also looks at the legitimacy of […]

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