In a dose of news that will get you to feel real human feelings, the Los Angeles Kings have hired a former Minnesota high school hockey player, Jack Jablonski. Jablonski was injured during a game in 2011 after being hit from behind and sent head-first into the boards, injuring his spinal cord.
In an emotional tweet, Jablonski notes that he had “always dreamed of signing an NHL contract.”
I had always dreamed of signing an NHL contract. Unfortunately, that dream was taken away 8 yrs ago. Today, I’m proud to share that I’ve started a full time job with the @LAKings as a Content Coordinator & working in podcasting, radio and TV! Thank u to all who have helped me. pic.twitter.com/emurjY8zf4
— Jack Jablonski (@Jabs_13) January 23, 2020
He has joined the Kings organization as a content producer and I can’t wait to see his work. Congratulations, Jack!
Read more about it below, along with other news and notes from around the league:
Kings Things
- NHL Dream Fulfilled: Jack Jablonski Lands Job With L.A. Kings [CBS Minnesota]
- Paralyzed hockey player lands job with Kings [ESPN]
- Doughty (day-to-day) doesn’t practice; record consecutive games streak would end [LA Kings Insider]
- Six LA Kings Players Land on The Athletic’s Midseason Prospects Rankings [NHL.com]
- Anze Kopitar continues adding to his rich Kings legacy [Los Angeles Daily News]
- Bernie Nicholls Reflects on His LA Kings Franchise Record [NHL.com]
- Kings Have Pieces in Place for Second-Half Growth [The Hockey Writers]/
Elsewhere in the World
- ‘I want to cherish every moment’: Why Brock Boeser put family first during the Canucks’ bye week [The Athletic]
- Color of Hockey: Canada Post stamp celebrates Black History Month [NHL.com]
- A detailed history of Claude Giroux’s love for grilled cheese sandwiches. You’re welcome, world. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]
- Elite League defenseman Zach Sullivan comes out as bisexual ahead of Manchester Storm Pride game [Russian Machine Never Breaks]
- WWE star Xavier Woods on surreal NHL All-Star experience, bar arcades, and wrestling/hockey crossover [ESPN]
- A glimpse at European hockey development: Can Sweden, Finland, Russia keep pace with North America? [ESPN]
- Black Hockey Players Celebrated In NHL’s Mobile History Museum [NPR]
- Former NHL goalie arrested in Bowling Green [WNKY]
- Mock expansion draft: What Seattle’s NHL team might look like and which player each team could lose [The Athletic]
- Six ‘Swing Teams’ Who Could Shape the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline [Sports Illustrated]/
Recaps & Scores
- Ottawa Senators 5, Buffalo Sabres 2
- St. Louis Blues 5, Calgary Flames 4 (SO)/
Click each team’s name to find a recap on their own SB Nation team site!
On the Schedule
- Nashville Predators at Washington Capitals, 4:30 PT/7:30 ET on NBCSN
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Dallas Stars, 4:30 PT/7:30 ET on SN, TVAS, FS-SW
- Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 7 PT/10 ET on SN360, SNE, SNO, SNW, TVAS
- Arizona Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks, 7 PT/10 ET on PRIME, FS-A, FS-A PLUS
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Los Angeles Kings, 7 PT/10 ET on NBCSN
- Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks, 7:30 PT/10:30 ET on ESPN+, NBCSCA, SNP/