Heinze Tries to Impress After Stint in Minors

After spending time in the minors for the first time in his career, veteran forward Steve Heinze is trying to make the most out of his second chance with the Kings, who recalled him from Manchester of the American Hockey League on Thursday.

“I thought they would trade me, which would have been preferable to being [sent to the minors], but that didn’t happen,” said Heinze, who played well in consecutive games against the Mighty Ducks and Chicago over the weekend. “In the end, you just have to be a man about it and be a professional.”

Heinze, 32, who scored 15 goals last season for the Kings, had never experienced the minors because he went from Boston College to the U.S. Olympic team to the NHL.

But even after joining the Monarchs and scoring 17 points in 18 games, Heinze’s stock still seemed to drop with the Kings, who recalled Derek Armstrong, Steve Kelly, Mike Cammalleri and Pavel Rosa before him.

“It’s their job to make those decisions,” Heinze said. “They’re in the business of winning games. They make those calls, not me. I didn’t agree with what they decided, but I wasn’t going to sulk about it. It’s my job to work as hard as I can.”

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Coach Andy Murray has paired defenseman Dmitry Yushkevich, acquired in a trade from Florida last week, with Mathieu Schneider, who played with Yushkevich with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two-plus seasons (1996-98)....The Kings, who do not play again until they play host to Nashville on Thursday, did not practice Sunday and also will have today off.

-- Lonnie White

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The Kings will make their annual visit to Children’s Hospital today to distribute toys for the holidays....King players and staff will participate in a holiday ceremony downtown Tuesday. The “Tree of Life and Festival of Lights” will take place at California Plaza. King TV announcer Bob Miller will be the master of ceremonies.

-- Helene Elliott