1968–69 Los Angeles Kings season
Encyclopedia
The 1968–69 Los Angeles Kings
season
was the second
ever for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League
. After finishing a surprising second place during the 1967–68 season
, the Kings stumbled in their second regular season, finishing with a 24-42-10 record, good for 58 points and fourth place in the six-team Western Division. The Kings made the playoffs, losing in the West Division Final to the St. Louis Blues.
from the Montreal Canadiens
in June, giving up two first-round picks. Goaltender Terry Sawchuk
was traded to the Detroit Red Wings
in October for Jimmy Peters, Jr.
. On the same day the Kings picked up goaltender prospect Wayne Thomas
of the University of Wisconsin from the Toronto Maple Leafs
. Desjardins would play the majority of games with Wayne Rutledge
his main backup.
Attendance for the season exceeded 300,000 for the first time over a 38-game home schedule.
in seven games in the NHL Quarter-finals. The Kings would then be swept by the St. Louis Blues in the West Division final. Bill Flett
led all Kings playoff scorers with 7 points, while Eddie Joyal
and Ted Irvine
had 6 points each. Irvine had 5 goals to lead the club.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Oakland Seals
Los Angeles wins best-of-seven series 4–3.
West Division Final
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues
St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4–0.
Goaltenders:
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Defensemen:
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Forwards:
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Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
was the second
Los Angeles Kings seasons
This is a list of seasons completed by the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. This list documents the records and playoff results for all seasons the Kings have completed in the NHL since their inception in 1967....
ever for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. After finishing a surprising second place during the 1967–68 season
1967–68 Los Angeles Kings season
The 1967–68 Los Angeles Kings season was the first season for the Kings in the National Hockey League.-Offseason:The Kings were one of six expansion teams, which doubled the size of the league from six to twelve...
, the Kings stumbled in their second regular season, finishing with a 24-42-10 record, good for 58 points and fourth place in the six-team Western Division. The Kings made the playoffs, losing in the West Division Final to the St. Louis Blues.
Offseason
The Kings acquired goaltender Gerry DesjardinsGerry Desjardins
Gerard Ferdinand Desjardins is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Black Hawks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres, and also played one season in the World Hockey Association.- References :...
from the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in June, giving up two first-round picks. Goaltender Terry Sawchuk
Terry Sawchuk
Terrance Gordon Sawchuk was a Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.-Early life and playing career:Sawchuk was born and raised...
was traded to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in October for Jimmy Peters, Jr.
Jimmy Peters, Jr.
James Stephen Peters, Jr. is a retired Canadian ice hockey left wing who played 309 games in the National Hockey League....
. On the same day the Kings picked up goaltender prospect Wayne Thomas
Wayne Thomas (ice hockey)
Robert Wayne "Twinky" Thomas is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender. Thomas was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings but was later traded to the Montreal Canadiens and spent roughly 3 years in the AHL with the Canadiens minor league affiliate.In 1972–73, in his first NHL pro start, Thomas recorded...
of the University of Wisconsin from the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Desjardins would play the majority of games with Wayne Rutledge
Wayne Rutledge
Wayne Alvin Rutledge was a goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings and completed his career in the World Hockey Association....
his main backup.
Regular season
The Kings second season began with playoff expectations following a second place finish in their inaugural season. The Kings played well enough at home to be competitive for a playoff spot, but they only won 5 road games all season.Attendance for the season exceeded 300,000 for the first time over a 38-game home schedule.
Playoffs
The Kings pulled off a first round upset, knocking off their in-state rivals the Oakland SealsCalifornia Golden Seals
The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
in seven games in the NHL Quarter-finals. The Kings would then be swept by the St. Louis Blues in the West Division final. Bill Flett
Bill Flett
William Mayer "Cowboy" Flett was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames and Edmonton Oilers.-Playing career:Flett began his career with the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL...
led all Kings playoff scorers with 7 points, while Eddie Joyal
Eddie Joyal
Edward Abel "Jet" Joyal is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Philadelphia Flyers...
and Ted Irvine
Ted Irvine
Edward Amos Irvine is a former NHL hockey player.- Career :Irvine was a left winger. He amassed a total of 331 points in 774 games played over a 15 year professional career. In his NHL career, Irvine played for the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and St...
had 6 points each. Irvine had 5 goals to lead the club.
Schedule and results
| 1968-69 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Playoffs
West Division Semi-finalLos Angeles Kings vs. Oakland Seals
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | Los Angeles | 5 | Oakland | 4 | (OT) |
| April 3 | Los Angeles | 2 | Oakland | 4 | |
| April 5 | Oakland | 5 | Los Angeles | 2 | |
| April 6 | Oakland | 2 | Los Angeles | 4 | |
| April 9 | Los Angeles | 1 | Oakland | 4 | |
| April 10 | Oakland | 3 | Los Angeles | 4 | |
| April 13 | Los Angeles | 5 | Oakland | 3 | |
Los Angeles wins best-of-seven series 4–3.
West Division Final
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 4 | Los Angeles | 0 | St. Louis | 4 | |
| April 6 | Los Angeles | 2 | St. Louis | 3 | |
| April 9 | St. Louis | 5 | Los Angeles | 2 | |
| April 11 | St. Louis | 4 | Los Angeles | 1 | |
St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4–0.
Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Joyal Eddie Joyal Edward Abel "Jet" Joyal is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Philadelphia Flyers... |
73 | 33 | 19 | 52 | 24 |
| Bill Flett Bill Flett William Mayer "Cowboy" Flett was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames and Edmonton Oilers.-Playing career:Flett began his career with the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL... |
72 | 24 | 25 | 49 | 53 |
| Real Lemieux Real Lemieux Réal "Frenchy" Lemieux is a former ice hockey right wing. He played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres.... |
75 | 11 | 29 | 40 | 68 |
| Ted Irvine Ted Irvine Edward Amos Irvine is a former NHL hockey player.- Career :Irvine was a left winger. He amassed a total of 331 points in 774 games played over a 15 year professional career. In his NHL career, Irvine played for the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and St... |
76 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 47 |
| Howie Hughes Howie Hughes Howard Duncan Hughes is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 168 games in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings.-Awards and achievements:... |
73 | 16 | 14 | 30 | 10 |
| Lowell MacDonald Lowell MacDonald Lowell Wilson MacDonald was a National Hockey League right winger during the 1960s and 1970s. MacDonald broke into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings after being promoted from the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets... |
58 | 14 | 14 | 38 | 10 |
| Gord Labossiere Gord Labossiere Gordon William Labossiere is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 215 games in the National Hockey League and 301 games in the World Hockey Association... |
48 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 12 |
| Howie Menard Howie Menard Howard Hubert Menard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 151 games in the National Hockey League... |
56 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 31 |
| Jimmy Peters Jimmy Peters, Jr. James Stephen Peters, Jr. is a retired Canadian ice hockey left wing who played 309 games in the National Hockey League.... |
76 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 28 |
| Phil "Skip" Krake Skip Krake Phillip Gordon "Skip" Krake is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres... |
30 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 11 |
| Doug Robinson | 31 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 2 |
| Ron Anderson Ron Anderson (ice hockey b. 1945) Ron Anderson is a former ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Buffalo Sabres. He also played in the World Hockey Association with the Alberta/Edmonton Oilers... |
56 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 26 |
| Gary Croteau Gary Croteau Gary "Crow" Croteau is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward, most notably with the Colorado Rockies of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:After a dominant collegiate hockey career at St... |
11 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Bryan Campbell Bryan Campbell Bryan Campbell is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 260 games in the National Hockey League and 433 games in the World Hockey Association... |
18 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Bill Inglis Bill Inglis William John "Billy" Inglis is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played 36 games in the National Hockey League: 22 with the Los Angeles Kings and 14 with the Buffalo Sabres... |
10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Gerry Foley Gerry Foley Gerald James Foley is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 142 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs.-External links:... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marc Dufour Marc Dufour Marc Dufour is a Canadian ice hockey player. He played for the Springfield Kings, the Los Angeles Kings, the Vancouver Canucks, the St. Paul Rangers, the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Blades, and the Baltimore Clippers.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill White Bill White (hockey) William Earl White is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. White was one of the most notable defensive defencemen of the 1970s.- Playing career :... |
75 | 5 | 28 | 33 | 38 |
| Bob Wall | 71 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 16 |
| Dale Rolfe Dale Rolfe Dale Roland Carl Rolfe is a former ice hockey defenceman. He spent his junior career with the Barrie Flyers through the 1956–57 and 1959–60 seasons... |
75 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 85 |
| Brent Hughes Brent Hughes (ice hockey b. 1943) Brent Hughes is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Kansas City Scouts... |
72 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 73 |
| Larry Cahan Larry Cahan Lawrence Louis Henry "Hank" Cahan , nicknamed Hank, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in several Canadian and U.S... |
72 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 76 |
| Dave Amadio Dave Amadio David A. Amadio was a professional ice hockey player who played 125 games in the National Hockey League... |
65 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 60 |
| Jacques Lemieux Jacques Lemieux Jacques Leonard Lemieux is a professional ice hockey player who played for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League.-External links:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; MIN = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average| Player | GP | MIN | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerry Desjardins Gerry Desjardins Gerard Ferdinand Desjardins is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Black Hawks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres, and also played one season in the World Hockey Association.- References :... |
60 | 3499 | 18 | 34 | 6 | 4 | 3.26 |
| Wayne Rutledge Wayne Rutledge Wayne Alvin Rutledge was a goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings and completed his career in the World Hockey Association.... |
17 | 921 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3.65 |
| Jacques Caron Jacques Caron Jacques Joseph Caron is a former assistant coach for the National Hockey League's Hartford Whalers and is the current goaltending coach for the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils. He won three Stanley Cups as goaltending coach with New Jersey in 1995, 2000 and 2003.-External links:... |
3 | 140 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.86 |
Transactions
- May 20, 1968 – Acquired Skip KrakeSkip KrakePhillip Gordon "Skip" Krake is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres...
from BostonBoston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for a first-round choice in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft1970 NHL Amateur DraftThe 1970 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 11, 1970 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft...
. - June 11, 1968 – Acquired Myron StankiewiczMyron StankiewiczMyron "Mike" Stankiewicz is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played 35 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers. Despite his brief NHL career, Stankiewicz was a top goal scorer in the AHL, breaking the 20-goal mark six times in seven seasons with Hershey...
from St. Louis for Terry GrayTerry Gray (ice hockey)Terrence Stanley Gray is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 147 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, and St. Louis Blues....
. - June 11, 1968 – Acquired Gerry DesjardinsGerry DesjardinsGerard Ferdinand Desjardins is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Black Hawks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres, and also played one season in the World Hockey Association.- References :...
from MontrealMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
for a first-round choice in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft1969 NHL Amateur DraftThe 1969 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This draft is notable for being the first NHL draft to be conducted after the league ended direct sponsorship of junior hockey.-Selections by round:...
(later transferred to MinnesotaMinnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
) and the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft1972 NHL Amateur DraftThe 1972 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft...
. - July 1, 1968 – Acquired Larry CahanLarry CahanLawrence Louis Henry "Hank" Cahan , nicknamed Hank, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in several Canadian and U.S...
from Montreal for Yves Locas and Brian D. Smith. - October 10, 1968 – Acquired Jimmy PetersJimmy Peters, Jr.James Stephen Peters, Jr. is a retired Canadian ice hockey left wing who played 309 games in the National Hockey League....
from DetroitDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
for Terry SawchukTerry SawchukTerrance Gordon Sawchuk was a Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.-Early life and playing career:Sawchuk was born and raised...
. - October 15, 1968 – Acquired Gary CroteauGary CroteauGary "Crow" Croteau is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward, most notably with the Colorado Rockies of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:After a dominant collegiate hockey career at St...
, Brian MurphyBrian Murphy (ice hockey)Brian Murphy is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Detroit Red Wings during the 1974–75 NHL season.-External links:...
and Wayne ThomasWayne Thomas (ice hockey)Robert Wayne "Twinky" Thomas is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender. Thomas was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings but was later traded to the Montreal Canadiens and spent roughly 3 years in the AHL with the Canadiens minor league affiliate.In 1972–73, in his first NHL pro start, Thomas recorded...
from TorontoToronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for Lou Deveault and Grant Moore. - November 12, 1968 – Acquired Ron AndersonRon Anderson (ice hockey b. 1945)Ron Anderson is a former ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Buffalo Sabres. He also played in the World Hockey Association with the Alberta/Edmonton Oilers...
from Detroit for Poul PopielPoul PopielPoul Peter Popiel is a retired NHL defenceman, and head coach. He played in the OHA, AHL, WHA, NHL, CPHL, and IHL. He played a brief 12 games in the IHL with the Muskegon Mohawks, then halfway through the year, he retired and became the head coach...
.
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Jim McInally Jim McInally James Edward McInally is a former Scottish footballer and was previously manager of East Stirlingshire.-Playing career:... |
- NOTE: Back before 1979, the amateur draft was held with varying rules and procedures. In 1968, teams only needed to select as many player as they wanted to, which is why there was only one Kings player drafted.
Goaltenders:
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Defensemen:
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Forwards:
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