But this is not an easy process, at least as far as determining what names are etched into the greatest trophy in sports. Many people have played significant rolls in this championship season, and the league allows a maximum of 52 names. All names must be submitted to the league for approval before they are immortalized on the Cup, and the usual standard for players making it on the Cup are playing 41 regular season games (half the season) or at least one game in the Stanley Cup Finals, although this is not set in stone.
The Kings released the names of players, staff, and executives that were approved by the league, and they utilized all 52 available spots. While looking over the list the vast majority are well deserved, a few puzzling, along with a handful of glaring omissions.
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| Not everyone is lucky enough to be among the chosen 52 |
The following are the 5 names that deserve to be on the final list of 52, and 1 that the organization should be ashamed to have forgotten.
ANDREI LOKTIONOV
Loktionov has been with the organization since 2008. He is a bright star in the organization, and had appeared in 39 regular season games and 2 playoff games for the Kings. He has shared time between Los Angeles and their minor league organization in Manchester over the years, but he clearly was a contributing player throughout this season. This omission is even more puzzling when you see that Kevin Westgarth and Davis Drewiske will have their names on the Cup, despite playing in only 25 and 27 regular season games respectively, and non in the post season. What may have something to do with this decision is one made by Loktionov himself. Loktionov has chosen to play in the KHL (Russia's hockey league) during the lockout. The thing is, Loktionov is not locked out. He was assigned a few weeks ago to the minors, which is not effected by the lockout at all. This clearly has caused some friction within the organization, and may come to a head later down the line. But it seems the Kings may be punishing Loktionov for not being a team player and reporting to Manchester.
ED ROSKI
Most people know Roski as a driving force in getting the NFL back to Los Angeles. But few realize that he, along with Philip Anschutz and AEG, partnered in buying the Kings out of bankruptcy in 1995. He was even listed as an owner in this years playoff media guide. Seems fishy that a part owner would not have his name among those on the Cup, especially since Anschutz has his wife Nancy's name on the list of 52. But like Loktionov, this may be a form of payback. AEG (the owners of the Kings) and Roski are competing for an NFL franchise to move to the Los Angeles area, so his omission may be another example of the vindictiveness of AEG.
TERRY MURRAY
This is a very odd omission in my opinion. Murray coached the Kings for 4 plus season before being replaced halfway through last season. He coached the team to the playoffs twice after missing the playoffs for almost a decade. Throughout the playoffs and after winning the Cup, the players and executives all gushed over Murray, constantly expressing their gratitude for his services, reminding everyone who would listen that they would not be in this position if it weren't for Murray. Maybe he was one of the last ones cut (because the owners wife obviously takes priority) and he will receive a championship ring, but for anyone who knows hockey, your name on the Cup is what lives forever.
NICK NICKSON
Nickson has been with the Kings since 1981, first doing television commentary, and when the tv/radio broadcasts were separated in 1990, he became the radio voice of the franchise. For someone who has been a part of many people lives to be omitted from the final 52 is odd. Sure he is a radio guy, and radio isn't what it once was, but he has been a mainstay for the franchise. Many of us have been stuck in LA traffic or away from the tv and depend on Nickson to paint the mental picture of what is happening on the ice. A very peculiar omission.
JIM FOX
Fox played 9 season in the NHL, all with the Kings. When he retired in 1990 he became the team's tv color commentator, and has blossomed into the best in the game. He is one of the most knowledgeable hockey minds around, and his ability to express what is going on objectively, not only to the hockey fan, but to the casual observer, is astounding. He lives for the Kings. Seeing how emotional he was after the game 6 win and even at the celebratory parade makes this omission that much more confusing. Fox deserves to have his name on the Cup for all the years he has dedicated to the organization, both on and off the ice.
BOB MILLER
Miller has been the voice of the Kings since 1973. He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2000 and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Miller IS the Kings and the best in the business. Nobody has felt the ups and downs of this organization like he has. Most fans (myself included) have been introduced to the game and have learned the intricacies from listening to Miller. When the Kings won, the one person captain Dustin Brown was looking for to hand the Cup to was Bob Miller. One of the biggest regrets to such a magical season was that us fans were unable to hear him call the Finals due to the NHL's contract with NBC. But to have his name omitted is an absolute travesty. The Kings should be ashamed of themselves. When the video editor gets higher priority than the man who has touched EVERY Kings fan, who has brought the game into our homes for generations, there is something extremely wrong and troubling going on.
Shame on you AEG. I hope our new owners have a sense of history and class the next time we're lucky enough to raise the Cup.
