Sixteen games into their 2001-02 campaign, the LA Kings sat in the basement of the Pacific Division with a 4-9-1-2 record. They had already dropped an unbelievable nine one-goal games.
Infamously, then-head coach Andy Murray "passed out pen and paper after practice and asked each player to complete the following sentence: 'When I play my best hockey, I...'
"'Unbelievable,' muttered one [player], shaking his head. Another player, asked if he'd ever penned such a document for a coach, replied, 'Never.'" (Crowe, Jerry. "Players Could Write a Book About Troubles." Los Angeles Times, November 10, 2001.)
At least, that's the story we know.
But Murray, who is currently helming Western Michigan, begs to differ.
50 Forgotten Stories: 'When I Play My Best Hockey I'
A look back on the story surrounding head coach Andy Murray's infamous writing assignment