Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
GOHABS.com -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> Kings to retire Robitaille's No. 20 jersey
Post Info TOPIC: Kings to retire Robitaille's No. 20 jersey
MC Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1977
Date:
Kings to retire Robitaille's No. 20 jersey
Permalink Closed

Canadian Press


8/21/2006 5:53:27 PM


LOS ANGELES (CP) - The Los Angeles Kings will retire Luc Robitaille's No. 20 jersey before a Jan. 20 game against the Phoenix Coyotes.


Robitaille will join Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Wayne Gretzky as the only Kings players to have their jersey retired.


"Having your sweater retired by your team is an incredible honour," Robitaille said Monday in a statement. "When I first came to L.A. more than 20 years ago, I never would have imagined this happening. To have my name up on the wall at Staples Center alongside true greats like Marcel Dionne, Rogie Vachon, Wayne Gretzky and Dave Taylor, and to see the wonderful basketball names like Jerry West, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar up there as well, is truly overwhelming."


Robitaille, 40, is the highest scoring left-winger in NHL history as well as the all-time Kings leader in goals scored (557). The 19-year NHL veteran has 1,394 career points (668-726) in 1,431 regular-season games with Los Angeles, Detroit, Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers. He had 24 points (15-9) in 65 games with the Kings last season, his 14th with the club.


"Luc's passion for Los Angeles, the Kings and their fans was matched only by his determination to excel at our game," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "The retirement of his jersey will forever remind Kings players and fans of the lofty levels at which he conducted himself."



Robitaille also ranks second all-time in Kings history in games played (1,077), second in points (1,154) and fourth in assists (597). Last Jan. 19 he set the Kings all-time record for goals, passing Dionne.


"Luc's commitment to the game of hockey and to his community here, especially the kids, is total and unique, and the relationship he has with hockey fans in L.A. is unlike any other athlete/fan relationship I have ever seen," stated Kings governor Tim Leiweke. 'On the ice, Luc honoured the game every day and he honoured the jersey every minute. In Los Angeles, I do not think any other athlete has made the impact Luc has. He is a class act, a true legend and with the official retirement of his jersey, he will truly be a part of the L.A. Kings family forever."



__________________
AB Habman


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2344
Date:
Permalink Closed

 Lucky Luc was a very consistent player and a class act on and off the ice! Even his nick name diminishes the fact that he had skill and possessed an accurate wrist/snap shot.


 I remember when himself and Jimmy Carson broke into the league. All the credit went to Carson short term and of course Oilers wanted him in the Gretz trade. Luc would of put on many more happy miles with the Oilers long term. It seemed like year in and year out the kid had to prove himself. Totally under-rated but yet now the highest scoring LT. Winger in NHL history.


 His only downfall was that he was a little slow footed but yet I remember when he played for the Wings and won a Cup in 2002 that he became more of a complete player and actually played very well on both sides of the puck. There's still a good chance for slower footed guys like Ryder to improve on their overall game but it takes commitment and of course the love of the game that Luc always and forever will have


 



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
GOHABS.com -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> Kings to retire Robitaille's No. 20 jersey
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard