Interview With Los Angeles Kings Legend Kelly Hrudey

Before there was Jonathan Quick making big saves to win a game, wearing the armor of black and white and wearing the number 32, there was Kelly Hrudey.  Born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1961, this beloved goaltender enjoyed a 15 year career in the NHL before becoming a respected and trusted hockey analyst with Sportsnet for Hockey Night in Canada, as well as for the Calgary Flames.  Best known for his years tending the net for the Los Angeles Kings from 1989 to 1996, Hrudey became the first goaltender in franchise history to lead the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. He was the goalie I mimicked as a child when playing road hockey with my cousins and friends, or just by trying to be cool by wearing a bandana on my head like Kelly did, as I biked around the “mean streets” of my hometown of Cambridge, Ontario.  I was always proud to call Kelly Hrudey “my favorite goalie” to anyone who asked that question.

In yet another “dream come true” moment for me, recently I was very fortunate to get in contact with my childhood goaltending hero and the LA Kings’ legend himself Kelly Hrudey! In a conversation on the phone that lasted around 45 minutes, he spoke about his idols, his career, especially about his time spent playing and living in the Kingdom and about his current broadcasting career but please take note everyone, that by reading this article word for word, it does not fully bring this interview or Kelly Hrudey due justice. It was difficult for me to portray in words what I actually had experienced in talking to Kelly on the phone. Intelligent, engaging and very, very witty, the man once known as “Hollywood” has to be experienced in person to be fully appreciated.  It what has now become not only the most informative interview I have ever conducted but also the funnest and funniest, as there was a lot of fun laughter going on between us, so please keep that in mind when reading this article, especially during the final few questions! Just try to imagine the fun banter with what you’re about to read.  Also besides the laughter, Kelly also talked about heartbreak, disappointments and moments of triumph.  I’ll even say there were tears, but those were my own, (okay maybe not actual tears but I have to admit that Kelly’s feelings about the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, and about the Kings finally winning the Cup in 2012 had me choked up!) So without further ado, I present to you all the man, the myth and the Kings’ legend himself, the forever awesome, Mr. “Hollywood” Kelly Hrudey!