Johnson to play in Worlds
Jack Johnson, by all indications, has officially been selected to play for Team USA in the IIHF World Championships. The roster will be announced Monday, but on its website, USA Hockey features a picture of Johnson and says he will be included in a conference call after the team is announced. That's what you would call strong circumstantial evidence...

Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at 

Excellent news! The more experience with the big boys the better. College is imnportant but his main goal should be getting ready for next year!