Latest news with #LucRobitaille
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Why Kings could go big-game hunting this NHL offseason: Catching up with Ken Holland
One week into the job, and there are not enough hours in the day. Since being named general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, Ken Holland has been on the phone with fellow GMs, agents and staff — it's been a whirlwind. And he's loved every minute of it. Boy, had he ever missed it. 'It's great being back in a GM chair,' Holland told The Athletic on Wednesday. 'I'm excited.' Advertisement The Hockey Hall of Famer was quick to thank Kings owner Philip Anschutz and team president Luc Robitaille for the opportunity — one that checked all the boxes for him, both professionally and personally. A team that has a chance to win. A big market. A West Coast city that fits nicely with wife Cindi and their home in Vernon, B.C., and a life that includes four kids and 10 grandchildren. It was the perfect package. Now it's time to roll up his sleeves. He's hit the ground running. One of Holland's first decisions was to reach out to Rob Blake, inviting him out for dinner to pick his brain. Not every outgoing GM would be interested in that kind of invite, but it's telling of the person that Blake is that he accepted. 'Being the classy, professional gentleman that he is, we got together for dinner for two and a half hours and talked a lot about the team and some other things,' Holland said. 'So very, very valuable for me.' Holland has decided to keep Blake's front-office group pretty much intact, which includes wanting to keep Nelson Emerson (AGM), Glen Murray (senior director, player personnel) and Marc Bergevin (senior adviser to GM) in the fold, among others, although we'll see what happens with Bergevin on the New York Islanders GM front, where he's interviewed twice, per league sources. 'I'm going to keep everybody,' Holland said. 'They had 105 points. They've gone through a retool. It was a wonderful job by Rob Blake and all the people around him. I mean, they've made the playoffs the last four years in a row.' Holland didn't blow up the Edmonton Oilers' front office, either, when he got there. He did bring three people in of his own. 'I am going to bring in a person on board here, someone that knows how I think, and other than that, I look forward to working with Nelson and Glen and Luc and (head coach) Jim Hiller and everyone there,' Holland said. Advertisement Holland wouldn't say who that person was he was bringing in, but I would be surprised if it wasn't Tyler Wright, who was with him with the Detroit Red Wings and the Oilers. As for Bergevin, if he doesn't end up as the new Islanders GM, both sides are fine working together in L.A. 'Berg has been a general manager in Montreal,' Holland said. 'His name is floated around out there. I wouldn't hold him back. I wouldn't hold anyone back if they had a chance to become a general manager or a head coach. But if Berg is back, I've obviously got a great relationship with him. We were together on the 2016 World Cup Canadian management team. We spent a good month together, and obviously we were both GMs and he's a former Red Wings player in the 1990s when I was in the front office there. 'If Berg stays, certainly he'll be somebody that will be very important to me. Because he's been in the chair, and that experience is always valuable.' Ironically, Holland himself met and interviewed with the Islanders this spring as part of their GM search process, although he would not comment on that. There's also been interest over the past year from a couple of other NHL teams, wanting Holland as a senior adviser. 'I did talk to some other teams, but at the end of the day, the situation had to work for my wife and I,' he said. 'We've got four kids and we have 10 grandkids. Family is No. 1.' In the end, the Kings' GM job called out to him for all kinds of reasons, and Cindi was obviously an important part of it. 'I spent a lot of days on the road in my life,' Holland said. 'She was home raising the kids and taking them to those school events, and I was missing birthday parties, I said to Cindi that if I had an opportunity to come back (as an NHL GM) and that if it fit for Cindi and fit for me, I would be interested in it. Advertisement 'But at this stage of our lives, it had to be a decision that worked for the both of us.' And again, the Kings' job was perfect in every way. 'It worked personally and professionally,' Holland. After a year out of team management, Holland said his juices were starting to flow this past season. He never saw himself as potentially retired, but rather as unemployed. He stayed in touch with the game by taking on an advisory role with NHL Hockey Ops, which allowed him to attend GM meetings and Board of Governors meetings. He watched NHL games every night all year long. After his mutually agreed-upon exit from the Oilers last June following a Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Final, Holland feels re-energized and absolutely up to trying to take the Kings to the next level. 'It's a great opportunity, a great organization,' the four-time Stanley Cup champion executive said. Holland's hire wasn't met with unanimous praise. Some segments of the Kings' fan base wanted younger blood. A more modern vision. And you get that, for sure, from their perspective. And like any GM, Holland hasn't batted 1.000. But if you look at where the Oilers were when he took over and where they were when he left, sometimes you miss the forest for the trees. The Oilers were a mess when he got there, despite having the best player in the world. They were a win short of winning the Cup when Holland left, the hockey culture completely overhauled in the process. Does that mean Holland will lead the Kings to the promised land? No one can answer that for sure. But I know he won't be afraid to swing for the fences. You can absolutely bet he's going to be aggressive this summer trying to upgrade the Kings roster. 'It's a good team,' Holland said. 'There's good veteran leadership on the team. There's some good young kids that are on the come up. It's L.A. It's got a great history. It's a great brand. It's an entertainment capital. Hopefully I can make a few decisions and we can convince a player or two to come join us like we were able to do in Detroit and able to do in Edmonton.' Advertisement The Kings have the salary cap space to swing hard enough. 'I plan to be aggressive,' Holland said. 'Ownership is prepared to go to the cap. The goal is to put a competitive team on the ice and, at the right time, be aggressive to try to make the team better and more exciting. Whether that happens in the next six to seven weeks or next year at the trade deadline or next offseason … but certainly the plan is to be aggressive at the right time.' I would be surprised if the Kings didn't enter the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, for example, if the pending unrestricted free agent is indeed available July 1. Just like I would be pretty surprised if the Kings didn't do all they could to enter a Connor McDavid frenzy if, for whatever reason, the best player in the world doesn't extend with the Oilers. (I'm not saying he won't extend. I'm just saying in case he doesn't.) No name will be too big for Holland. He's going to be big-game hunting to get the Kings over the hump.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mercury Insurance and LA Kings Celebrate Ordinary People with Extraordinary Impact
Hockeywood Wall of Fame Inductees Feted at Kings Season Finale LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "Not all heroes wear capes" is a time-honored cliché for a reason — the sentiment rests in truth. Mercury Insurance and the Los Angeles Kings honored 13 of these everyday heroes over the course of the 2024-25 season with a spot in the Mercury Insurance Hockeywood Wall of Fame. The program was created to honor community heroes who do amazing things for their neighbors, often doing so without being recognized for their efforts. "Every community is home to heroes who don't get the recognition they deserve," said Erik Thompson, VP and CMO for Mercury Insurance. "They are what make our communities great, and we wanted to say thank you for everything they do to help make Los Angeles a better place to live." The first class of Hockeywood Wall of Fame inductees — who were brought together at the Kings' final game of the regular season — include a teen who has recycled more than 105 tons of trash found on LA beaches; multiple entrepreneurs giving back through humanitarian deeds; several educators and volunteers; and a pair of first responders who made a sizable impact during the LA fires. The group shared their experiences with one another during a recent game at Arena. The event included visits with Kings legend and team president, Luc Robitaille, and beloved mascot, Bailey. "Induction into the Hockeywood Wall of Fame isn't about hockey; it's about resilience, purpose, and staying rooted in the belief that one person can spark change," said Kendal Troutman, Hockeywood Inductee and Founder of Thru Guidance Ministries. "Being in a room with so many others who are also deeply committed to their communities was both humbling and energizing. Each person carried a story of impact, sacrifice and heart — and it reminded me that while our paths may be different, our purpose is shared." Honorees were nominated for induction by other Kings fans through the Hockeywood website, and were chosen for the nature of their contributions. Those selected were rewarded with a pair of Kings tickets, a jersey and an engraved memento to memorialize the honor. The Hockeywood Wall of Fame, located at the Toyota Performance Center, is a multimedia display that showcases the honorees' community work. Visitors can learn about all of the inductees, as well as nominate their own community hero, at the venue or by visiting "We will continue to add new inductees throughout the year, even in the offseason," added Thompson. "I encourage everyone to nominate their heroes so we can continue to honor and recognize those who make LA great." Here's a brief recap of this season's honorees. Fans can also watch the Hockeywood Wall of Fame sizzle video to learn more. Ryan HickmanFounder of Ryan's Recycling, Ryan collaborates with the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks in beach cleanup initiatives, emphasizing environmental sustainability. Khloe ThompsonFounder of Khloe Kares, Khloe is a young philanthropist recognized for her efforts in aiding the homeless community. Kathey HaasJoining spcaLA as a volunteer in 2001, Kathey has been fostering cats since the day she completed her orientation. Over the years, Kathey has opened her home to nearly 600 spcaLA cats and kittens, taking care of them until they were ready to be adopted. Helen WangHelen is an author and speaker focusing on China's middle class, contributing insights into global economic shifts. Jean MendozaJean is an advocate for indigenous education, working to integrate accurate Native American histories into early learning. Kendal TroutmanKendal is Founder of the 24 Degrees of Color program and was the first honoree inducted into the Hockeywood Wall of Fame for promoting diversity in hockey. Nancy AlcarezNancy serves as Director of the Mi Casa after school program director + Little Tokyo Service Center. Chris SweeneyChris owns and operates Right Mealz, a meal prep company and brick and mortar in Long Beach. Nick RoseNick is a LAFD captain who is stationed at station 9 in LA. LA Station 9 is the skid row fire station and happens to be the busiest fire station in the entire country. Justine VargasJustine is a dispatcher for Los Angeles County Fire who worked throughout the Palisades and Eaton Fires, helping to direct sending units and water drops. Erin MaxickErin is the founder of The Little Zoo in Los Angeles, a non-profit organization that offers low- to no-cost visits with their animal family for specific communities. Lisa Monie-PeraltaA longtime teacher at Griffith Middle School in Downey, Lisa is responsible for the school adopting the STEAM curriculum, creating its gifted program and making the school a safe place for all students. Maxine SealeyMaxine is the founder of Sharing Love With Others, a nonprofit that serves warm meals, water, medical supplies and clothing to the homeless community of Skid Row. Fans interested in learning more about the Mercury Insurance Hockeywood Wall of Fame can visit the site at where they can read about the inductees and nominate their own heroes. About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and For more information visit or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mercury Insurance Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
LA Kings welcome Ken Holland as new general manager
The Los Angeles Kings officially introduced former Edmonton Oilers manager Ken Holland as their new general manager on Thursday, replacing Rob Blake. "He knows the path of what it takes to get to the championship, and that's a hard thing to do and that's a hard thing to learn," President Luc Robitaille said at Thursday's introduction. Holland joins the Kings as the fifth-winningest general manager in NHL history. The Hall of Fame hockey executive spent the past year out of the NHL after leaving the Oilers in June 2024. Before that, he was general manager of the Detroit Red Wings for 22 years and won four Stanley Cup championships during his tenure there. Holland replaces Rob Blake, who left the Kings by mutual decision earlier this month after eight seasons. Los Angeles lost to the Oilers in the first round in each of their four straight playoff appearances, from 2022 to 2025. "it was very important to get the right person to guide this franchise to where we want to be, which is not about beating one team, winning one round, it's about winning four rounds," Robitaille said. He said Holland mirrored his vision for the franchise, players, coaching staff, and the entire organization. A 2020 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Holland is a former goaltender who played four NHL games with Detroit and Hartford Whalers. As a highly respected and successful hockey executive, he served in several different roles within the organization prior to being named general manager, including assistant general manager, amateur scouting director, and western conference scout. The Vernon, BC native has served on several management staffs for Hockey Canada, winning gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Winter Games and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. "The game is very important to me. I did enjoy one stress-free year but I'm excited about being back in the saddle," Holland said. "I've kind of been through this before when I went to Edmonton in 2019. I know what's got to be done. A tweak here, a trade there, a free-agent signing. I was in Detroit for 22 years, in Edmonton for five and now I'm diving back into the pressure cooker."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The LA Kings and Splitero Expand Strategic Partnership to Support Homeowners Across Southern California and Beyond
Renewed Multiyear Deal Brings Deeper Fan Engagement, Broader Brand Visibility, and Timely Home Equity Solutions to one of Splitero's Most Important Markets LOS ANGELES, May 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two-time Stanley Cup Champions the LA Kings and Splitero, the financial technology company that provides homeowners better options to access home equity, are renewing and expanding their strategic partnership. The multiyear renewal agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, reinforces Splitero's role as the LA Kings' Official and Exclusive Home Equity Partner, marking their shared commitment to serving Southern California homeowners with accessible, debt-free financial solutions. Additionally, the enhanced relationship provides Splitero with new opportunities for fan engagement, impactful education, and brand integration at a time when demand for smarter home equity options is at an all-time high. "Splitero represents the kind of partner we value—innovative, consumer-first, and deeply invested in making a difference," said LA Kings President, Luc Robitaille. "Together, we're offering fans more than entertainment, we're delivering real value, and we're excited to grow this partnership for seasons to come." With interest rates remaining high, inflation impacting everyday costs, and traditional credit tightening, many homeowners—especially in expensive markets like Los Angeles—are looking for alternative ways to access cash without sacrificing historically low mortgage rates locked in during prior economic cycles. This partnership comes at a pivotal time, offering thousands of Kings fans access to a powerful, underutilized financial tool: their own home equity. With Splitero, fans are offered a differentiated alternative to traditional home equity loans or lines of credit. Through its innovative Home Equity Investments (HEIs), the company provides homeowners with a lump sum of cash in exchange for a portion of their home's future value—without requiring monthly payments, interest, or income verification. Its proprietary Maturity Match™ model aligns the HEI term with the homeowner's remaining mortgage timeline, offering unmatched flexibility to repurchase their equity share at any point within the term, penalty-free. As the Official and Exclusive Home Equity Partner of the LA Kings, Splitero will be prominently integrated across multiple touchpoints during the NHL season. Fans can expect to see the brand featured on static dasherboards, LED ribbon boards, scoreboard halo signage, and digitally enhanced dasherboards during all home games at Arena, as well as during select nationally broadcast matchups. The company will also be embedded into the Kings' social media presence through recurring branded content, including the team's "Kings Keys" feature.
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The LA Kings and Splitero Expand Strategic Partnership to Support Homeowners Across Southern California and Beyond
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two-time Stanley Cup Champions the LA Kings and Splitero, the financial technology company that provides homeowners better options to access home equity, are renewing and expanding their strategic partnership. The multiyear renewal agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, reinforces Splitero's role as the LA Kings' Official and Exclusive Home Equity Partner, marking their shared commitment to serving Southern California homeowners with accessible, debt-free financial solutions. Additionally, the enhanced relationship provides Splitero with new opportunities for fan engagement, impactful education, and brand integration at a time when demand for smarter home equity options is at an all-time high. 'Splitero represents the kind of partner we value—innovative, consumer-first, and deeply invested in making a difference,' said LA Kings President, Luc Robitaille. 'Together, we're offering fans more than entertainment, we're delivering real value, and we're excited to grow this partnership for seasons to come.' With interest rates remaining high, inflation impacting everyday costs, and traditional credit tightening, many homeowners—especially in expensive markets like Los Angeles—are looking for alternative ways to access cash without sacrificing historically low mortgage rates locked in during prior economic cycles. This partnership comes at a pivotal time, offering thousands of Kings fans access to a powerful, underutilized financial tool: their own home equity. With Splitero, fans are offered a differentiated alternative to traditional home equity loans or lines of credit. Through its innovative Home Equity Investments (HEIs), the company provides homeowners with a lump sum of cash in exchange for a portion of their home's future value—without requiring monthly payments, interest, or income verification. Its proprietary Maturity Match™ model aligns the HEI term with the homeowner's remaining mortgage timeline, offering unmatched flexibility to repurchase their equity share at any point within the term, penalty-free. As the Official and Exclusive Home Equity Partner of the LA Kings, Splitero will be prominently integrated across multiple touchpoints during the NHL season. Fans can expect to see the brand featured on static dasherboards, LED ribbon boards, scoreboard halo signage, and digitally enhanced dasherboards during all home games at Arena, as well as during select nationally broadcast matchups. The company will also be embedded into the Kings' social media presence through recurring branded content, including the team's 'Kings Keys' feature. Headquartered in San Diego and operating in 13 states, California is Splitero's home base and one of its most important markets. With Los Angeles County representing its largest metro market, the expanded partnership gives Splitero a powerful platform to reach equity-rich, cash-constrained homeowners through one of the region's most passionate and loyal fanbases. 'This renewed partnership is about more than visibility—it's about impact,' said Michael Gifford, CEO and founder of Splitero. 'With so many local homeowners sitting on record-high equity and facing today's financial pressures, this partnership with the LA Kings gives us an incredible platform to raise awareness and offer a smarter solution. The Kings have been a phenomenal partner, and we're thrilled to continue building on our momentum together.' With U.S. home equity reaching a record $35 trillion, and more than $11.5 trillion currently accessible, nearly 48% of U.S. homeowners are considered equity-rich—yet many are unaware of alternative ways to access that wealth. This continued partnership aims to change that through community engagement and education. Beyond signage, the partnership includes deeper experiential components. Splitero will participate in the team's Fan Fest, offering hands-on fan engagement opportunities before select home games. A co-branded sweepstakes campaign will also roll out during the season, giving fans the chance to win unique prizes, while further aligning the brand with unforgettable experiences. 'Splitero has a timely offering, a clear message, and a community-first approach,' said Josh Veilleux, senior vice president, AEG Global Partnerships. 'This renewal reflects the success of our first year in partnership and the strength of our alignment between mission and market. We look forward to connecting more of our loyal fans with their incredible offerings at a time when it matters most.' ABOUT SPLITERO Splitero is a financial technology company that provides homeowners with better options to access their home equity. Founded by real estate veterans, Splitero provides a lump sum of cash in exchange for a share of the home's future value. Splitero can help homeowners in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington access their equity with no additional monthly payments or new debt. For more information, visit The LA Kings have enjoyed a rich history of excitement, passion, and championship glory in Southern California while demonstrating the utmost commitment to their fans, partners, and community. Owned and operated by AEG, the Kings began play in 1967 and now play at world-famous Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Since our inception we have strived to be the ultimate leader as it relates to employing many of the greatest players in National Hockey League history, and hosting and participating in incredible events highlighted by two Stanley Cup Championships.
