Kings Lose Miller for Start of Season

Already stung by the off-season departure of Philippe Boucher, who signed with the Dallas Stars as an unrestricted free agent, the Kings’ defensive corps learned Friday that it will also start the season without Aaron Miller.

While his teammates opened training camp in El Segundo, Miller, 31, had abdominal surgery in Inglewood to repair an injury known as a sports hernia. Dr. Craig Smith performed the operation at Centinela Hospital Medical Center.

Miller, a U.S. Olympian last February at Salt Lake City and one of the Kings’ steadiest defensemen since his trade from the Colorado Avalanche a year earlier, is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks.

Teammate Mathieu Schneider, who had similar surgery last November, sat out 24 games while recovering, and King forward Ian Laperriere, after having a similar procedure last month, is expected to sit out all of training camp.

If Miller is ready to play in six weeks, he’ll have sat out six regular-season games. If he’s ready in eight, he’ll have sat out 13.

Acquired in the February 2001 deal that also brought Adam Deadmarsh and Jared Aulin to the Kings and sent Rob Blake and Steven Reinprecht to the Avalanche, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Miller has blossomed into a star with the Kings.

He and captain Mattias Norstrom were the defensive stalwarts last season as the Kings established a club record with a 2.29 goals-against average and ranked third in the league in penalty killing with the second-best success rate in franchise history. He led the Kings with 147 blocked shots and tied for the club lead with a plus-14 ranking. Three of his five goals, matching the most in his career, were game-winners.

“He’s been tremendous for us, obviously,” Schneider said. “I think he’s taken his game to another level. He plays such a big role on our team, and the way he stepped in so comfortably, he probably could have done the same in Colorado, but I don’t think he was really given the opportunity that he’s been given here.”

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., who lives during the summer in Colchester, Vt., Miller suffered the injury last month while working out in Vermont, Coach Andy Murray said. Doctors determined this week that surgery was needed.

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Norstrom sat out the first day of camp because of an undisclosed illness and Ken Belanger sat out because of a sore back, Murray said.... All practice sessions, including intrasquad scrimmages Monday, Tuesday and Saturday nights next week, are open to the public.... The Kings open their eight-game exhibition schedule Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center.

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The Ducks and Kings will hold a rookie game Thursday at the Arrowhead Pond. The game, which starts at 1 p.m., will feature both teams’ prospects.

No admission will be charged and seating is on a first-come basis. The parking lot will open at noon.

Jerry Crowe and Chris Foster

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Mike Vernon, who backstopped the Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings to Stanley Cup titles, retired after a 19-year NHL career.

The goalie, 39, went 385-273-92 with Calgary, Detroit, San Jose and Florida. He also had 27 shutouts with a 2.98 goals-against average in his career.

Vernon led the Flames to the 1989 Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1997 when the Red Wings won the championship.