Visheau Took the Scenic Route to L.A.

He reels off the names of some of the towns where he has played, glad that the Kings have finally agreed with him that he is good enough to stay in the NHL.

“Ten cities in six years,” said defenseman Mark Visheau, referring to such places as Moncton, Springfield, Cape Breton and Wheeling.

“Some people felt I couldn’t even play in the minor leagues. I felt I could play. There’s nothing selfish about that, nothing cocky.

“It’s just that you have to have confidence in yourself to play this game. You can’t doubt yourself. There are enough people around to doubt you.”

Visheau, who had played in one game with the Winnipeg Jets in a cameo performance in 1993-94, has played in five with the Kings since recovering from a thumb injury suffered in an exhibition-game fight with the Mighty Ducks’ Stu Grimson. In one, he and Grimson fought a rematch.

In another, against the New York Rangers, Visheau scored his first NHL goal. In another, against Chicago, he had his first two NHL assists.

And now, with enforcer Matt Johnson sidelined because of a 12-game suspension, Visheau, 6 feet 6 and 222 pounds, knows he will be a target.

It’s a product of his temper, which is substantial, not his intent. “I want to be a player first,” he said. “I think it’s play first, physical second.”

His play with the Kings is a testimony of sorts: “It means I’ve made it . . . well, not necessarily made it, because that’s not a healthy attitude to have. You have to keep working.

“It means that I’ve gotten to where I want to be.”

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The Kings have put wingers Russ Courtnall (broken ankle) and Sandy Moger (back strain) on the injured list. The Kings have lost 92 man-games to injury so far, going into Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes. They lost only 166 last season.