The LA Kings have a rich and storied history in the city of Los Angeles. For 50 years what was once a franchise seeking to find a foothold in a vast and diverse marketplace is now a leader within the NHL culture and a franchise known for stability, innovation and success.
The LA Kings unveiled the 50th anniversary monument
The Kings hockey culture is rich with pride, passion and a sense of family. Over this half century, the Kings have had a multitude of ups and the downs. Through winning and losing seasons they have always strived for excellence. With a tradition of star players, and a devoted fan-base, the quest to reach the ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup was seemingly out of reach until recently, as they have gained a new confidence with a Championship team for their fans and this great city to be proud.
This 50th Anniversary Monument is a gift to Los Angeles and is dedicated to all the passionate and devoted individuals who have supported the Kings either as fans, players, employees or partners. This wall of moments symbolically takes you through Kings history. The intense and creative dynamics of hockey are represented here in a sweeping fashion, along with celebrated actions that bring players, fans and families together to celebrate a legacy. An ice-like surface of both glass and granite are a backdrop to six white bronze figurative sculptures that lead into a water wall and green wall for visitors to reflect on all those thrilling moments of the past 50 years.
Various legends were selected to represent the eras of LA Kings hockey. From left to right, Rogie Vachon is laser-etched in granite mid-save, which seamlessly transitions into a sculptural Jonathan Quick and his cat-like reflexes as he stops a sure goal. Drew Doughty is also laser etched as he dishes off a pass to a five-player figurative bas-relief sculpture. Through energy, the sheer force of a slap shot flows into players celebrating hockey's ultimate goal of winning Lord Stanley's Cup. The wind up of Marcel Dionne leads to Dave Taylor driving his stick into the puck, as Rob Blake follows through with his lethal slap shot. As one's eyes move through the motion, Anze Kopitar's arms begin to raise towards Dustin Brown's iconic moment of lifting the Stanley Cup. The energy in these figures simultaneously represents hockey's grit and toughness.
The materials of bronze, granite and glass were chosen to showcase permanence, a milestone in any sports organization's history. At the east corner are the rosters, coaches, general managers and owners of each year of the Kings past etched in granite. The concept of a water wall offers fans a place for reflection on a great 50 years, and to build excitement for promising years to come.
At the base of the 12-foot high monument, key moments from the past are laser etched in granite. Beginning with the day Jack Kent Cooke signed the deal to begin the team's journey in 1966, through the Stanley Cup-winning season of 2014, these moments showcase the long and historic journey. Additionally, along the East side of the monument is an Honor Wall in which our great fans have secured the right to have their names permanently etched into granite. With a multitude of moments, images and motion, this living and breathing structure is a true celebration of 50 years of hockey in Los Angeles.
Artists | Itamar Amrany, Julie Amrany, Omri Amrany
HISTORIC LA KINGS MOMENTS FEATURED IN THE MONUMENT
February 9, 1966
NHL Awards Los Angeles Franchise To Jack Kent Cooke
October 14, 1967
LA Kings Play Their First NHL Game
October 10, 1973
Kings Hall Of Fame Play-By-Play Announcer Bob Miller Broadcasts His First Kings Game.
April 22, 1976
Butch Goring Carried Off The Ice By Teammates After Scoring OT Goal vs. Boston
January 13, 1979
The Triple Crown Line Of Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor And Charlie Simmer Is Formed
April 10, 1982
LA Kings Erase Five-Goal Third Period Deficit - The Miracle On Manchester
August 9, 1988
LA Kings Acquire Wayne Gretzky In Historic Trade
April 1, 1989
Bernie Nicholls Scores Franchise-Record 70 Goals In One Season
March 23, 1994
Wayne Gretzky Scores Goal #802 Surpassing Gordie Howe
May 29, 1993
Wayne Gretzky's Hat Trick Propels Kings To First Stanley Cup Final
January 19, 2006
Luc Robitaille Scores Goal #551 Passing Marcel Dionne For The Most Goals In Kings History
June 11, 2012
LA Kings Win First Stanley Cup Championship
June 13, 2014
LA Kings Win Second Stanley Cup Championship
