Story Catches Murray’s Eye

King Coach Andy Murray read with interest Saturday an article in the Oct. 8 issue of Sports Illustrated detailing the influence of alumnus Ralph Engelstad, a Las Vegas multimillionaire, on the University of North Dakota’s hockey program.

Murray’s 17-year-old son, Brady, a junior at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Academy in Faribault, Minn., is one of North Dakota’s top recruits in the Class of 2003. Andy Murray is scheduled to join his son for an unofficial campus visit Oct. 19.

North Dakota, which won the 2000 NCAA championship and was runner-up last season, plays in a new $100-million arena built by and named for the controversial Engelstad, a former North Dakota goaltender who, according to Las Vegas media reports, hosted parties on Hitler’s birthday in 1986 and 1988 and kept a large collection of Third Reich memorabilia in his Imperial Palace casino in Las Vegas.

In 1988, the Nevada Gaming Control Board found evidence suggesting that bumper stickers reading “Hitler Was Right” were printed at the Imperial Palace, Sports Illustrated reported.

“It makes you think,” Andy Murray said. “But I know the coaches are quality people, and we know so many good people from there.”

He said he would let his son decide where he wants to go to school.

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Because of tighter security measures in place after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Staples Center officials urge fans to arrive earlier than usual to games. The doors open 90 minutes before the opening faceoff.

All fans will be checked with handheld metal-detecting wands and all bags will be searched.

In addition, no bags or items bigger than a briefcase may be brought into the arena, fans will not be allowed to exit and reenter the arena for any reason and vehicles must be removed from the parking lots within two hours after the conclusion of the game.

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TONIGHT vs. Minnesota, 5

Fox Sports Net

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 0-0-1-0, Wild 0-0-1-0.

Record vs. Wild (2000-01)--2-2.

Update--Adam Deadmarsh is expected to return for the Kings after sitting out the opener because of a groin injury. The Wild was shut out a league-high 14 times during its inaugural season and finished last in the NHL in scoring, averaging 2.05 goals.

Tickets--(888) 546-4752.