Have you ever met a person who, no matter what area you ask about, is just simply one of the best?

Whether it’s work performance or the kind of person they are, at the LA Kings, that person has long been Darren Granger.

In terms of his craft, there are few better than Granger.

He’s worked in the NHL since 1992, first with the Vancouver Canucks and now with the Kings, where he has been the top guy at his position since 2006. Granger was a part of the staff for the Stanley Cup winning teams in 2012 and 2014, as well as several best-on-best international staffs with Team Canada. He was a part of the staff that won gold in 2014 and silver in 2026, as well as a championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025.

Also on each of those teams? Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who knows better than anyone how good he is at what he does.

“Grange is the best in the business, no doubt about it,” Doughty said. “I love that guy. He does so much for us, so many people don’t know what they go through, how much work they do and without him and the rest of his staff, we couldn’t do what we do. They put us in the best position to succeed every single night.”

Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper was also on the 2026 team and has seen up close and personal how good his equipment manager is. Kuemper has been in Los Angeles across two stints now, as well as on the international stage.

To see the longevity combined with such a high level at his craft is something that he’s certainly thankful for and was quick to celebrate.

“Grange is the best, he’s unreal at what he does,” goaltender Darcy Kuemper added. “He’s obviously a legend to be around for that long. I think we’ve all enjoyed the chance to celebrate him.”

As a person and as a professional, the line of individuals excited to say nice things about Granger was quite long.

For years, Granger has pulled the strings behind the scenes, making milestones and important moments special for members of the Kings on the ice. Recently, there was a chance for many within the organization to pay some of that back.

Recently, he worked his 2,500th career NHL game, coming at Delta Center against the Utah Mammoth on March 22.

When the Kings visited Utah, players walked into the building in commemorative shirts for Granger, showcasing his time in the NHL as well as his love for golf, with a really cool design to mark the special occasion. Granger and the rest of the Kings training staff took photos on the ice prior to the game and he was honored by the organization in the next home game, ironically also against the Mammoth.

He was honored again on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, the first game back in Los Angeles, with an in-arena video to give him the recognition he deserved at home, with his family in attendance, during a timeout at the first intermission.

“The respect the guys have for him, with the shirts and the hats, just shows how much they like him,” Interim Head Coach D.J. Smith said. “He’s at the Olympics, he’s one of Canada’s best and he’s one of the best in the business. Just a quiet guy who hopes this one comes and goes.”

2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for Grange❕

Congratulations to Head Equipment Manager Darren Granger on working his 2500th @NHL game tonight in Utah! pic.twitter.com/qiXwqf3RYb

— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 22, 2026

As Smith said, it’s a moment that Granger himself probably would have been fine with having in a lower-key situation. But that’s exactly the reason why players and coaches were so keen to celebrate him.

When you have someone who is not only elite at what they do, but also someone who does not seek the spotlight, rarely making situations about themselves, that’s a guy who is worth celebrating.

“We’re so fortunate to have him,” defenseman Brandt Clarke added. “He’s awesome, smile on his face every day, helping hand whenever you need it. So many people don’t see the work that all these guys put in every single day, behind the scenes, and they do work so hard but they’re also some of our closest friends, they’re great people. When you get the chance to celebrate them, on a grander stage, it’s really special for all of us. We’re all really fortunate that we get to celebrate that in a bigger magnitude, for sure.”

In a rather unique path, Granger never worked in the AHL, having started his professional career with the Canucks before moving to Los Angeles for a promotion with the Kings.

It’s a path that few have taken, whether that be players or coaches, but Granger is one who has gone that route, working for 34 years at the highest level, with the best players on the planet, night in and night out.

“He’s the best in the business, it’s amazing, 2,500 games, it’s really incredible,” forward Trevor Moore said. “I was joking with him, he’s a guy that didn’t have to play in the minors, straight to the NHL. He’s just one of those guys that’s one of the best to ever do it and we’re really lucky to have him.”

The work that people like Granger put in, alongside everyone on the Kings support staff, behind the scenes, is something that doesn’t always see the light of day. It’s one of those jobs that when things go well, you really don’t hear about it, because it’s just business as usual. When everything is where it needs to be, when it needs to be, that’s the highest praise you can really receive.

Granger’s dedication to the craft and his personality along the way, that’s something that has always resonated with the players in Los Angeles.

“His dedication to the game of hockey and to do it for this long, it’s extremely hard,” forward Anze Kopitar said. “Just want to thank him for everything he’s done for me, for my family and for the whole organization.”

So.

Darren Granger is a guy who everyone agrees is the among the best in the world at what he does, perhaps the best. He seeks none of the spotlight along the way for doing it, preferring to do what he does behind the scenes, while working relentlessly to solve whatever problem comes his way on a given day.

He’s won championships, gold medals and best-on-best tournaments. He’s a past president of the SPHEM, the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers. He’s respected by everyone in and around the organization. One of the best in the business, no matter how you shake it.

“He’s never going to tell you no and he’s always going to try and find a solution to any problem,” Doughty added. “I’m so thankful that I’ve gotten to spend my entire career with you, win championships with you and win gold medals with you.”