Interview With Los Angeles Kings Legend Kelly Hrudey

Last season the Kings didn’t make the playoffs but this season they are now sitting on top of the Pacific division.  What do you think the Kings were able to do to improve from last year?

They have taken this regular season more seriously than they did last. I would suspect that they were all tired and beaten up but also I think in the back of their minds, they always felt that you know what, in the end they could pull this off and that ultimately was their undoing.  That they just thought that they had lots of time and they would be able to do it and that wasn’t the case. Every season is so different. Every year is so unique and you have to be prepared right from the start of it. Now I think most people would say they were giving a free pass on that one considering how much hockey they played in the previous 3 seasons.

Besides working for Hockey Night in Canada, you also work as the color commentator for all of the Calgary Flames’ regional games for Sportsnet.  As a former Kings’ player who had to battle against the Flames constantly in the old Smythe Division, what was your favorite game, moment or playoff series against the Flames?

Oh I have multiple. I mean we had a real healthy rivalry against the Flames so man, there were many playoff battles. I don’t know if there’s a favorite memory, I just remember those games felt like an all out war. There was everything that you could ever want in those series. There was great hockey, there was fisticuffs, there was anger, there was hatred, there was everything that if you were a fan you would’ve loved those games.

In 2013, the Kings’ organization honored you with a much deserved Legends night, where the fans were even given a Kelly Hrudey bandana to wear in tribute, which I have one hanging here on my wall.  What were your feelings when you first found out that the Kings wanted to do that for you and how was your experience that night when it happened?

Well I was surprised and honored all at the same time. Luc had called me a while before that and suggested that they wanted to do this for me and I immediately accepted.  They worked on the dates and I had to run that by my Hockey Night in Canada crew to make sure that it would work for them. And it was just a beautiful night. I recall just being on the ice with Bob Miller and Luc and my wife and my three daughters and just experiencing this beautiful occasion and I’m very thankful to Luc and the Kings’ organization.

You know Luc has done an amazing job of adding that element of, not respect but that element of history to the Kings. They honor I believe 3 players every year and to be included in that group was just amazing and I really think it’s important to do those sort of things because you sort of foster this team spirit that it doesn’t matter if you’re Bob Berry playing in 1967 or me in 1992, we’re all teammates and that’s a really cool thing!

You famously wore number 32 as a King and there just happens to be some guy playing for the Kings right now also wearing the number 32. I believe his name goes something like Jonathan Quick or something? What are your thoughts of this Quick character and has he held that torch of wearing your number 32 up high?

I always joke now that Jonathan has had so much success that one day my jersey will be retired by the LA Kings … but it just won’t have my name on the back so that’s just how incredible his career has been so far and there’s lots left. I got to know him over the years and he’s a fantastic guy and I would have loved to have played with him because I’m sure that he’s just an excellent teammate and so dedicated to the sport and he’s exactly what the league needs more of, people like Jonathan Quick.

Okay Kelly, here’s the final question and it’s a big one, are you ready?

Yep.

Who is gonna win the upcoming and long-awaited super fight bout between Batman and Superman in Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice? Who wins that fight?

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

It’s a movie coming out in March where Batman and Superman finally fight each other.

Oh is that right? I have no idea.  That’s a world that’s foreign to me. I haven’t watched a movie in ages because I’m so busy with hockey.

Okay, then how about this one? Who wins in an arm-wrestling contest between you and Glenn Healy?

Me by a mile! Oh yeah, I’m just that more stronger that Glenn!

Well on behalf of CaliSports News and for myself, as a long time Kelly Hrudey fan and a die-hard LA Kings’ fan, thank you Kelly for this interview and for your time.

You’re very welcome Jeff, that was fun!

Special thanks to Meghann Cox, Mario Hicks, RAIDER KEV, Kyle Reed and Gann Matsuda and of course, the one and only Kelly Hrudey for their help with this article.

GO KINGS GO!!!

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