Knickle Gets First Victory as Kings Win

When it was over, Rick Knickle stood by himself for several seconds before his new Kings teammates skated over to congratulate him on his first NHL victory, which was 14 years in the making.

Knickle gazed over to his left and spotted his family in the stands at Expo Hall and slightly pumped a fist. For Knickle, the Kings’ 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night was as much for his father, George, as it was for himself. George Knickle was his first hockey coach back home in New Brunswick, Canada, and was one of the few believers out there who thought Rick would still make it to the NHL, even at 32.

Now, here was his son, sharing the spotlight with Wayne Gretzky, who had a goal and three assists, and Tony Granato, who scored twice and added one assist.

“I looked over and saw my mom and dad over there, and my dad was doing cartwheels,” Knickle said. “I’m happy for myself, but I’m especially happy for him. He’s been such a supporter of my career.

“Marty McSorley gave me the puck. This one is going to my dad. I have enough pucks. I’m sure he’ll take it and put it in his pocket and show everybody.”

It was uncanny good luck that brought father and son together for this special moment. George and Janet Knickle live in nearby Lakeland, Fla., six months out of the year and in Nova Scotia the other six. His sister, Debbie Barr, flew in from Halifax and his brother, Tony, came to the game from his home in Vancouver.

“He played great,” George Knickle said. “I’m really proud of him. We knew he could play. He just wasn’t in the right place at the right time. He never gave up.

“I always knew he was good enough. I kept praying to myself. You never know. Look at Johnny Bower. He didn’t make the NHL until he was 34, and he played for 10 years.”

Knickle, who was signed by the Kings last week after a 33-4-4 record with the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League, earned his first victory in his second NHL start. His NHL debut came against Chicago on Thursday as he faced 46 shots in a 7-2 loss.

And it wasn’t easy Monday as he faced 45 shots, giving up goals by John Tucker during the first period and Bob Beers during the second. Facing 40-plus shots is nothing for Knickle, who is used to adversity.

“I spent 13 years in the minor leagues, playing in every little town you can think of, riding those buses,” he said. “It’s all worth it. But this is the ultimate.”

With the Kings (27-27-7) in a tight race for a playoff spot, the performance from Knickle couldn’t have come at a better time. In the stretch run, the team needs a reliable backup for goaltender Kelly Hrudey. The victory puts the third-place Kings three points ahead of fourth-place Winnipeg and nine ahead of fifth-place Edmonton in the Smythe Division.

“This was huge--it’s a great story,” King Coach Barry Melrose said.

“I hope there’s a happy ending. Thirty-two years old! It’s an American story.”

Defenseman Rob Blake was the first teammate to congratulate Knickle and Lonnie Loach was the one who tracked down the game puck. Knickle, who grew up playing against Hrudey in juniors, was grateful that Hrudey was so helpful when he joined the Kings. Hrudey went over the Tampa Bay shooters with Knickle before the game.

Knickle, the newest King, isn’t treated like an elder by his teammates.

“I call him ‘The Kid,’ ” said Blake, who is 23. “I said, ‘Congrats, great win, kid.’ Maybe I shouldn’t call him that. He’s waited more than 12 years for this. It sure does (lift) everyone else. He waited so long to finally get his break.”

Said Knickle: “They call me ‘kid’ and ‘rookie.’ I don’t mind. I still feel like a kid even though I’m turning 33 on Friday.”

Why not?

After all, his NHL career is barely one week old.

King Notes

Owner Bruce McNall has said the team plane will be making a comeback for the final few trips of the season. The team hadn’t been using the plane this season because of the high cost of operation. Now, though, the Kings hope to have the plane in time for the next trip, a four-game trip against the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Buffalo.

Wayne Gretzky decided to abandon his back brace before this trip. He says he has much more mobility now. “My progress has come along nicely,” Gretzky said. “So far, the last six, seven games, I feel I’ve been around the puck more and I’m more involved in the play. . . . It’s hard for me to judge. It was a little embarrassing at the beginning.”