Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The 2026-27 NHL season is less than a week away, and the Los Angeles Kings will enter their 60th season in the NHL. Los Angeles has seen plenty in their franchise history, with memorable moments and sad goodbyes. The Kings have already begun to celebrate and hope Kings fans will join them this season in celebrating this historic season. The 2026-27 season for Los Angeles opens with a game against the Colorado Avalanche on September 30 at Ball Arena in Colorado.
The Kings officially became an NHL franchise as an expansion team and the team was founded on June 5, 1967, as the league doubled in size, from six to 12 teams. Los Angeles played their first game in franchise history on October 14, 1967, against the Philadelphia Flyers and beat them 4-2. Back then the Los Angeles Forum , located in Inglewood, California, was not finished yet and the Kings needed a place to play, so they settled on the Long Beach Forum.
Jack Kent Cooke was the owner of the Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, as he secured the Kings in a deal for $2 million on February 9, 1966. Cook chose the name “Kings” as he wanted the team to portray royalty in Los Angeles. His idea for the color scheme would be purple and gold, matching the royal theme he had envisioned.
Over the years, Los Angeles would see their fare share of celebrities and Hockey Hall of Famers pass through the Forum to the delight of fans and media around town. Wayne Gretzky put the team on the map when he arrived in 1988-89 and the success of the franchise took off and so did their popularity. While the team did not enjoy much success to the tune of Stanley Cups, they were still a hot ticket. To this day, a Kings game can be the scene around Los Angeles and hold many celebrities, usually in the front rows of crypto.com arena, the place the Kings now call home.
In their franchise history, Los Angeles has retired seven numbers in total. Those include defenseman Rob Blake (#4), forward Marcel Dionne (#16), forward Dave Taylor (#18), forward Luc Robitaille (#20), forward Dustin Brown (#23), and Gretzky (#99). The Kings have also had 15 captains in their history with defenseman Drew Doughty wearing the “C” this season, 32 head coaches, and 10 general managers.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Over the course of their history, the Kings have a record of 1,972-1,960-424-226 for 4,594 points entering the 26-27 season. They have won two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014), three conference championships (1992-93, 2011-12, and 2013-14), and one division title (1990-91).
The Kings ice crew has added a special logo to the center ice of crypto.com arena. The logo is a commemorative one that celebrates the 60 years as a franchise during their special season. Unveiled in September of 2026, the brand new logo consists of a black “60” with an original silver crown at the base, “Los Angeles” on top of the logo, and “EST. 1967” on the bottom. It is a beautiful piece that must be seen.
As for the season itself, the season opener is mentioned above but the home opener is October 6 at 7:30 PDT as the Kings will have their hands full with the new-look Florida Panthers. All fans in attendance will receive a 60th anniversary retro hockey goalie mask, which will help a big moment become a special moment to kick off the new season. With Anze Kopitar retiring, this is a new-look Kings team that has some work to do ahead of them but is optimistic about what they have in the lineup preparing for war on the ice. The team and fans will have a big-time energy that will have the place rocking with excitement. The 26-27 season is almost here and we could not be more ready.
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Categorized:Kings