During hockey season, NHL players have an on-the-go lifestyle and schedule that keeps them busy. Between games, practice, travel and other team activities, there isn’t a lot of downtime.
That’s especially true for a west coast based team like the Kings, whose location requires more travel and time on the road than other clubs located in a higher-density area out east.
This week, during the Kings’ mom’s trip, family was along for the ride and got a closer look at the demands of their job. But it wasn’t just a trip to observe for the women who joined the team’s traveling party; they also had a busy schedule of their own.
With activities both inside the rink and out, the Kings created a one-of-a-kind experience for the moms who have always supported their sons.
“They see us at home and experience that, but them getting to see the road, see the plane we fly in, see how a normal day works, we tell them about it but I don’t think it clicks until they get to be a part of it,” said Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson, who had his mom, Dana join him on the trip. “She’s been enjoying it and getting the full experience. It’s fun to have them around and a little way to say thanks for all they’ve done for us.”
The trip began with a Sunday afternoon flight on the team’s plane to Salt Lake City, where they would later play the Mammoth on Monday night. Mothers accompanied their sons on the two-hour journey before checking in with the team and enjoying dinner at their hotel.
Forward Alex Laferriere, who spoke ahead of the game in Utah about having his mom, Karen, with him for the experience, felt it allowed him to take his mind off of hockey. The elder Laferriere remarked on how busy the itinerary was.
“It’s been so nice and special to have some time with Alex,” said Karen Laferriere. “Seeing what he does on a road trip, which is crazy, with having to get on a plane and all of the focus that he has. And I don’t even know what day of the week it is, so for him to know when he has a gameday, it’s amazing. It has been so much fun, and I’m incredibly grateful.”
Karen said that two of the other family members on the trip with whom she formed a close connection were Carol Turcotte and Sharon Moore.
“I know that Alex spends a lot of time with Trevor and Alex, so I wasn’t entirely surprised,” Laferriere said. “It’s been fun getting to know them and their lives. Their sons are amazing, and we’re going to try and see if we can connect at more games.”
After morning skate on Monday, the moms were treated to a high tea event, also at the hotel, before taking the bus to the game that night, where they witnessed a 4-2 win over Utah, the Kings’ 10th road win, which is tied for third-most in the NHL.
Then it was off to Seattle for the second road city of the experience, and a day away from the ice on Tuesday before Wednesday’s contest against the Kraken. There were two events scheduled during the team’s off day, including a mom’s only activity at Seattle Glassblowing in the afternoon, before a group dinner with the full team in the evening.
The glassblowing was a highlight for many, including Drew Doughty’s mother, Connie, who has seen her son play the entirety of his 18-year NHL career with the Kings. She and Anze Kopitar’s mom, Mateja, have gotten to know each other well over the years as their sons have been longtime teammates.
“This has just been truly amazing, right from being on the plane to going into their dressing room to meeting with the equipment crew and seeing their practice, it’s just really been a dream, to be honest,” Doughty said.
She’s had the chance to see Drew play in many places and was in LA for a mom’s trip before, but they remained in Southern California. When compared to prior experiences, she said this, which included making her own glass piece, was much more exciting.
“It wasn’t what we expected, we thought we were just going to watch someone [blow glass], so to actually participate and create our own ornament was a great gift for us, especially with the season coming,” said Doughty. “Everyone picked their colors, but the one that really touched me the most was Mateja because she picked black and white, and it’s so fitting because she’s on the road to retiring with her son, so that really touched me.”
The fourth and final day of the trip was the busiest for the moms, as they attended the team’s morning skate, including a team video session in the locker room, ate a pre-game meal with their sons at the hotel, and got themselves ready for the game with a relaxing group activity that included permanent jewelry and massages.
“They’ve been keeping the moms busy,” Anderson said. “We get a little more downtime, which is nice for us to worry about treatment and rest and everything. But it’s good; it adds more energy having them around, there’s a little more life. They’re all super excited to be here.”
For Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper’s mom, Sharon, it was also the second time during her son’s career that she had joined him for a trip, previously traveling with the Arizona Coyotes to San Jose while Kuemper manned the Yotes’ net.
Sharon made it to Los Angeles ahead of Sunday’s flight to Utah and also attended her son’s shutout win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.
Moms at Morning Skate pic.twitter.com/2MKR95bt45
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 10, 2025
“Honestly, I love these activities,” said Kuemper. “I really appreciated going to the locker room, seeing the scouting report, the pregame talk, going through the whole dressing room and watching the practice.”
She said she usually attends 5-6 games per season and finds it easier to watch Darcy play now than when he was younger.
“This is more exciting as far as the level of hockey, but I get less stressed now than I did when he was in junior because I have a better understanding that it’s a whole team that leads to a goal or leads to a save,” Kuemper said.
The trip concluded with another road point earned by the Kings in a 3-2 overtime loss to Seattle and a late night flight south to Los Angeles that arrived after 2 a.m. on Thursday.
But late arrival didn’t bother Karen Laferriere, who made sure to soak in every bit of the special experience.
“There has not been a single moment that I haven’t enjoyed,” Laferriere said. “I keep saying, I can sleep when I get home.”
Special pic.twitter.com/Xr8DbiHMDW
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 10, 2025