To look forward, Drew Doughty And Anze Kopitar You have to look back. They start to recall the names of those who aided them in their first entry into the NHL.
Rob Blake is one. Dustin Brown is another. Matt Greene is another, as are Dean Lombardi, Mattias Norström and Jarret Stoll. Doughty, Kopitar were able to grow from promising teens with their guidance. Doughty was the No. Kopitar was the No. 2 pick in 2008 NHL draft, and Doughty the No. 11th overall pick in 2005. To franchise-changing stars who led the Los Angeles Kings’ run for two Stanley Cup titles in three seasons (2011-12 to 2013-14).
Doughty (33 next month) and Kopitar (35 next month) still consider winning their fight a priority. They are still playing and are visible from the Kings’ arena’s rafters. They are passing on what they know to the next generation of Kings, hoping it will be better than it was when they joined.
Kopitar stated that “what you are trying is to pass on knowledge.” Then you must realize that not all players are the same. Each leader may not be the same. It is important to try to remain present and in the moment. You do this by being yourself. … I am, for example, usually not the loudest person in a locker room. Sometimes, however, it’s necessary to speak up.
These moments of teaching can happen at any time. Doughty may offer encouragement or help to young players when they are on the bench. They can also be found in the dressing room after practice. They can also come with their teammates to grab a meal at a local restaurant or when Kopitar hosts a dinner party at his house.
This is what veterans players, executives, and coaches mean when they talk of culture. It takes time to create that culture.
Doughty and Kopitar joined the Kings in 2006-07, Doughty in the 2008-09 season. The Kings were in the midst a six-year playoff drought. Doughty claimed that his education began with Lombardi (the Kings’ general manager) who was responsible for the creation of those Cup title teams.
Lombardi helped Doughty learn how to be a leader and to see the impact his actions had on those around him. Doughty stated that he was a major junior hockey team captain and a youth hockey team captain. However, his attitude shifted to having fun playing hockey.
Doughty, just three games into his NHL career was already leading the Kings’ ice time. This feat was helped by Lombardi.
“I didn’t realize how much I had to offer when I reached this level. [Lombardi] Doughty explained that this helped her to become the player she is now. I didn’t think of myself as a leader. I didn’t admire people who were capable of leading. … I realized something I did not know until I was older: People would say to me, “Guys on the Team are watching you.” I was like “Why are they watching me?”
Doughty credited Greene’s influence on him so much that he still seeks his advice. Greene was his brother and father during Doughty’s rookie season.
Doughty acknowledges that he wasn’t always listening. Greene advised Doughty, for instance, to work out consistently. Doughty resisted the idea. He did, at least until he grew older and realized he had to do the work to perform at a high standard.
Greene taught Doughty perhaps the most valuable lesson. It was learning how to own the team.
“That was one thing he taught me. This is your team. But if you don’t push the load then who will? Doughty agreed. Doughty said. Why should it be me? He replied, “Because it is your responsibility and job.” This was three or four years ago, when we had that conversation. It’s part of growing up.
It is one thing to hear it. It is quite another to actually do something about it. How did Doughty & Kopitar influence their younger colleagues?
One, they made everyone feel welcome. Kopitar recalled what it was like being a 19-year-old in the presence of a future Hall-of-Famer like Blake. He is well aware of the nerves that come with trying to make a good impression.
Kopitar stated, “I’m certain it’s also the same with these guys now.” “Some of these men watched us as we won the first Stanley Cup ten years ago. It can sometimes be uncomfortable. Drew and me, however, feel very open and approachable. We do our best to make it as easy as possible.”
Doughty was headed to lunch with some of his younger teammates, which included a rookie defenseman, on the day he spoke with ESPN. Brandt ClarkeThe 19. Clarke, who is 19. When he talked about center, he had the same level enthusiasm. Quinton ByfieldHe turned 20 on August 20, and is now a mother.
Doughty and Byfield became close after both were hurt last season. Doughty stated that Byfield and him skated together, exercised together and that Byfield drove him to games last season. They even play videogames together.
Kings defenseman Mikey AndersonHe is the third season of his full-time NHL career and is one of eight homegrown Kings players under 24. The Kings are moving forward from rebuilding and looking to be a perennial playoff contender.
Anderson, 23 years old, shared some insight about what it’s been like to learn something from Doughty & Kopitar. Doughty is his defensive partner and will tell a joke or make a teammate laugh in the hope that it will relax him.
Anderson stated that Anderson is a hard worker, but also patient. Anderson stated that he is a good listener and will tell you what to do if things don’t go according to plan. He’ll tell you when things turn out well, “Hey man! Great work!” Keep going. Continue doing this.
Anderson replied to questions about Kopitar that the Kings’ captain will invite his younger players to his house so they can have dinner and hang out with their children. Anderson stated that the first two times he had dinner at Kopitar’s house, he was star struck because he wasn’t sure what to expect.
Anderson finally realized something that helped overcome his anxiety about family dinners. Kopitar demanded Anderson to be himself, no matter how many times he was invited.
Anderson stated that Doughty, and Kopitar are so warm and welcoming that they will go to great lengths to make sure their younger colleagues feel at ease with their living arrangements. This could include furniture recommendations or connecting them to a real-estate agent, if necessary.
Anderson stated, “They make it feel like you belong and that you are part of the team.” Anderson said, “I don’t know if this always happens. These two have been so incredibly important to us. [Jonathan Quick] I’ll even throw Brownie [Dustin Brown] They were there, too. For the first two years, these guys welcomed me with open arms.
Doughty still has four years on his contract, while Kopitar only has one more year after this season. Both have the kind of resumes that will allow them to retire as the greatest Kings of all-time, while making strong arguments for induction into the Hall of Fame.
Doughty, Kopitar’s careers are more than that for them.
Perhaps one day, players like Clarke, Byfield and Anderson will look back at their lives earlier in their careers. They will tell their stories and share the lessons they learned from an older group who loved them, in the hope that these lessons can be passed on.
That is the legacy Doughty, Kopitar would like to leave.
Kopitar stated, “We had some not-so-good teams at the beginning and then we had some really great teams.” “I think that our upside can be very high. This team has great potential and I wouldn’t mind playing anywhere else.