The Los Angeles Kings history highlights one of the most recognizable franchises in professional hockey. Since their founding in 1967, the Los Angeles Kings NHL team has developed a loyal fan base, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments on the ice. Their journey showcases decades of challenges and victories that shaped their legacy as a powerhouse in the league.
Established
1967
City
Los Angeles
League History
1967 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1967 – Present / Los Angeles Kings
Nickname
Kings – The Los Angeles Kings are among the most successful National Hockey League (NHL) teams. The franchise has won two Stanley Cups and has been a perennial playoff contender since their inception in 1967. But many fans may not know that their iconic nickname, “Kings,” dates back to before they even entered the NHL.
Los Angeles Kings Origin
When Jack Kent Cooke bought an expansion team for Los Angeles from the Western Hockey League (WHL), he called them “the Kings” after his beloved hometown of King City, Ontario. This was fitting as it paid homage to both his roots and referenced royalty, resonating with Californians who had recently experienced rapid growth and success in population size and economic prosperity during this period.
The name stuck with fans throughout California and North America when Cooke sold off ownership rights for an NHL franchise based out of LA, thus officially establishing themselves within professional hockey's highest level competition - The National Hockey League! Since then, 'Kings' have become synonymous with excellence on the ice, representing power & strength through hard work & dedication since those early days under Cooke's leadership all those years ago.
Today, you can find loyal supporters wearing royal purple jerseys at Staples Center cheering on their beloved team every game night while proudly displaying banners featuring 'LA KINGS' emblazoned across them - reminding us all that no matter how far away we might be from Canada or Ontario specifically- our hearts will always remain true blue!
Championship
Stanley Cup 2
2014, 2012
Arena
1999 – Present / Staples Center
1967 – 1999 / The “Fabulous” Forum
Owner
1995 – Present / Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski, Jr.
1994 – 1995 / Joseph Cohen and Jeffrey Sudikoff
1987 – 1994 / Bruce McNall
1979 – 1987 / Jerry Buss
1967 – 1979 / Jack Kent Cooke
- 1967
- 1967
- 1987
- 1988
- 1999
- 2012
- 2014
-
Los Angeles Kings Team Formation
Prior to the Kings’ arrival in the Los Angeles area, both the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL) had several teams in California, including the PCHL’s Los Angeles Monarchs of the 1930s and the WHL’s Los Angeles Blades of the 1960s. When the NHL decided to expand for the 1967 – 1968 season amid rumblings ... -
“Fabulous” Forum Opens
Construction on Cooke’s new arena, the Forum, was not yet complete when the 1967 – 1968 season began, so the Kings opened their first season at the Long Beach Arena in the neighboring city of Long Beach on October 14, 1967, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4–2. For the next two months, the Kings played their home games both at Long ... -
Bruce McNall Ownership
In 1987, coin collector Bruce McNall purchased the Kings from Buss and turned the team into a Stanley Cup contender almost overnight. McNall bought a 25 percent stake in the Kings from Jerry Buss in 1986 and bought an additional 24 percent in 1987 to become the team’s largest shareholder. He was named team president that September, and purchased Buss’ ... -
Gretzky to Los Angeles
On August 9, 1988, McNall acquired the league’s best player, Wayne Gretzky, in a blockbuster trade with the Edmonton Oilers. The trade rocked the hockey world, especially north of the border where Canadians mourned the loss of a player they considered a national treasure. McNall also changed the team colors to silver and black. On August 9, 1988, when he ... -
Staples Center Opens
The Kings also made an even bigger move in 1999, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, as they left the Great Western Forum and moved to Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles which was built by Anschutz and Roski. Staples Center was a state-of-the-art arena, complete with luxury suites and all the modern amenities that fans and athletes would want ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 2012
The 2012 Stanley Cup Final was the championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL) 2011 – 2012 season, and the culmination of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. This was the 119th year of the Stanley Cup’s presentation. The Western Conference playoff champion Los Angeles Kings defeated the Eastern Conference playoff champion New Jersey Devils four games to two, capturing ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 2014
The 2014 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL)’s 2013 – 2014 season and the culmination of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. This was the 121st year of the Stanley Cup’s presentation. The league realigned its divisions prior to the season and changed the structure of the playoffs, but the championship series remained the ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Los Angeles Kings History
The Los Angeles Kings history begins in 1967, when the franchise was founded as part of the NHL’s first major expansion. Based in the Greater Los Angeles area, the team has been a member of the Los Angeles Kings NHL scene ever since and remains one of two NHL teams in California. The Kings captured two Stanley Cup championships during the 2012–13 and 2014–15 seasons. Highlights of the Los Angeles Kings history include the blockbuster 1988 trade for Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers and Luc Robitaille’s eight consecutive All-Star appearances between 1989 and 1997. Over time, the Kings also developed a fierce rivalry with the Anaheim Ducks, adding extra intensity to the Los Angeles Kings NHL matchups.
Since entering the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings NHL franchise has experienced ups and downs but turned its fortunes around under General Manager Dean Lombardi. His leadership and roster building, including stars like Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick, helped deliver back-to-back championships. During this era, the Los Angeles Kings history was marked by dominant regular seasons, including their record 109-point Western Conference campaign in 2011–12. The team also achieved two 10-game home winning streaks, first from December 3, 2011, through January 8, 2012, and again from February 9, 2013, through March 23, 2013. These milestones underscored how formidable the Los Angeles Kings NHL team became against the league’s toughest opponents.
Kings Achievements
The Los Angeles Kings history includes many achievements that shaped their legacy. Beyond their Stanley Cup titles, the team has won multiple division championships and produced Hall of Fame talent such as Gretzky and Robitaille. Their commitment to player development has also ensured a steady pipeline of talent, keeping the Los Angeles Kings NHL competitive in a rapidly evolving league.
Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Kings NHL franchise remains focused on sustaining its winning culture. With a blend of veteran leadership and emerging stars, the Los Angeles Kings history continues to grow as they aim for more playoff success and future championships. This combination of tradition, resilience, and ambition keeps the Kings among the most respected and exciting teams in professional hockey.
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Los Angeles Kings Team History: Where Legends Are Made
Experience the epic journey of the Los Angeles Kings with our in-depth exploration of their team history. This video unveils the secrets and untold stories behind one of the most iconic teams in sports history, from triumphs to trials.
Retired Number
4 / Rob Blake
16 / Marcel Dionne
18 / Dave Taylor
20 / Luc Robitaille
30 / Rogie Vachon
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history