Impressions From Day 1 of LA Kings Training Camp

Welcome, readers, to LA Kings training camp! The first day was held on Sept. 18 at Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, California. Running through Sept. 21, the four-day event is filled with plenty of excitement, drills, talent, and a fan rally. I had the opportunity to attend the first and second days of camp. Here is everything that happened on Day 1.

First Day Impressions

The first group out, Group A, consisted of top scorers, including Adrian Kempe, Drew Doughty, and Artemi Panarin. Practice was underway at 9:45 a.m. There was plenty of battling for the puck. Angus Booth, wearing No. 81, looked good with his controlled shots. There’s a lot to unpack from the first day. A memorable and historic day took place when Doughty was announced as the 15th captain in Kings franchise history. A press conference was held with Doughty, head coach Peter Laviolette, and general manager Ken Holland.

Doughty answered each question thoughtfully and mentioned that it was an emotional day for him. When asked about the kind of leader he is, he praised former captain Anže Kopitar and said he is the type of leader who is loud and emotional. He also added that he expects his teammates to call him out when he’s not performing at his best.

One aspect I respect about Doughty’s mentality is that he brings his best each night while maintaining a good relationship with each of his teammates. When asked how his teammates felt about his new role, he mentioned that Kempe was the first to message and congratulate him, showing just how excited the players are for him.

The 6-foot-1 Canadian expressed that he has no desire to leave the Los Angeles market and has been a fan of the team since he was three years old. He noted that he used to have Kings-themed pillow covers, jerseys, and other merchandise as a child, to which Laviolette said, “I didn’t know that. That’s a cool story.” Doughty pointed to Kempe as a potential future captain, calling him one of the team’s best players over the last few years. Overall, this media availability not only humanized Doughty but also showed a stronger and more resilient side of him.

Locker Room Is Thrilled

The positive reactions from the locker room also showed how happy the players are to have Doughty as their captain. Kempe was excited to hear the news, while Brandt Clarke also expressed his happiness about Doughty’s new role and said his “energy is infectious.” Their reactions highlight the close relationships and strong bond the players have with one another, both on and off the ice.