Kings defenseman Drew Doughty travels down Olympic memory lane

ST. LOUIS — Kings defenseman Drew Doughty recalled how he got the news about making Team Canada for the 2010 Olympics and it sounded as if it happened just the other day.

Not four years ago.

“They told us to keep our phones on,” Doughty said. “So I had to put it on loud before I went to bed and it woke me up with a phone call. We were actually in Calgary. I’ll always remember that.”

Doughty was talking after Thursday’s morning skate here. Canada will name its Olympic squad on Tuesday, and meanwhile, two Kings players, captain Dustin Brown and goalie Jonathan Quick were named to the U.S. team on Wednesday.

Brown, in fact, was the first person Doughty told about the 2010 selection because they were roommates on that road trip in Calgary.

“It was really cool,” Doughty said. “It was a weird feeling I got when I got the call. I was just so happy.... I was just calling my mom and dad. I called my mom, she was crying. That makes you a little sad.

“It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had is making that team. It was almost as good a feeling as it was winning it.”

The U.S. and Slovenia are together in Group A, so Brown will play friend and frequent linemate Anze Kopitar, a center, and also could possibly face Doughty at the Sochi Olympics.

“It’s a unique experience, but it’s a pretty fun experience when you get to play against Kopi or Dewey,” Brown said.

Doughty kept talking about having a lot of work to do before making Team Canada. One of his teammates, sitting near him in the dressing room, looked greatly amused at hearing those words, considering Doughty is a lock for the team.

Facing Brown again at the Olympics would be special for Doughty.

“I know what he’s going to do out there,” Doughty said. “He knows what I’m going to do out there. It’s a different challenge and it’s fun. But at the same time when we were out there last time [in the gold-medal game in Vancouver], we weren’t buddy-buddy. We were playing to win a game.

“I’m sure if I make the team again and we happen to face off, it’ll be the same way.”

The Kings have dropped four straight games, however, including the first three of this trip. They play the Blues tonight and it appears Kings rookie goaltender Martin Jones will start.

“All I can control is how I play for the Kings. Right now, we’re on a losing streak that we should not be on,” Doughty said. “That’s my only focus is to lead the way to get out of this losing streak, make a difference in the game and get a win tonight.”

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