Lewis interview
For those interested in the development camp, the morning practices are scheduled to go from 8-10 a.m. and the scrimmage is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available, first-come, first-served, at the training facility in El Segundo today and tomorrow. The teams for the scrimmage seem to be weighted a little bit, with guys such as O'Sullivan, Zeiler, Johnson, Boyle and Bernier on one team and Tukonen, Purcell, Parse, Harrold and Zatkoff on the other.
Here's the interview with Trevor Lewis:
TREVOR LEWIS
Q: A year ago at this camp, you had just been drafted. How much difference does a year make?
A: It actually makes a big difference. I'm coming in here with a lot more confidence. When I came in last year, I was pretty young and I didn't know what to expect with everything. I know a lot more guys this year and that helps a lot. Basically, I just have a lot more confidence.
Q: What was last year like for you, particularly with getting a chance to play in Manchester?
A: When I went to Manchester, the guys were great and they really took me under their wing and kind of showed me the ropes. I think I gained a lot of experience from that and hopefully I can take it into next year.
Q: Your decision to skip college and turn pro, do you think that worked out well for you last year?
A: Definitely. I've never looked back on it. I had a pretty good year in Owen Sound. I had a good coach up there and he taught me a lot. And then obviously I played in Manchester and that was very beneficial for me, so I don't have any complaints at all.
Q: Being able to experience the AHL playoffs, how valuable was that?
A: I didn't play too much but I got a chance to watch, which was good. It's always good to be able to watch. It was actually really good, because everyone was really close there and it's just a fun part of the year.
Q: Any particular thoughts about heading into training camp?
A: I just have to keep having a good summer and get bigger, faster and stronger. Hopefully I'll impress some people when I come to camp.
Q: Have they given you any idea about where you might stand, or do you have any hopes?
A: Obviously you always want to try to push to make the team. That's what I'll try to do.
Q: Are you still living in Utah during the summer? What's the reaction been like there?
A: Yeah, I'm still living in Salt Lake City. Obviously there aren't too many hockey players who have come out of Utah, but the sport is growing there and hopefully we'll see a few more players come out of there.
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About the bloggers
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 rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
Rich,
Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for putting in the time, effort and especially the transcribing (I KNOW how tedious it can be) - They may have the cup 40 miles to the East, but we have the best fans, bar none.
We're glad that hockey is growing in SoCal and that you've taken the time to share with us your interviews, experiences, thoughts, etc.
Of course, now some hockey city like Toronto will offer you a big contract to come and write up there - LOL
Keep up the good work - it is VERY appreciated.
See you at the scrimmage tomorrow where no doubt, I will be extremely opinionated. After all I did once say "George Parros will NEVER play an NHL game"
Matt
Rich,
If you get a chance, let Trevor know that there are loyal Kings fans like me in Salt Lake who are pulling for him to play in the NHL. I can't think of another player besides Steve Konowalchuk to come out of SLC, so I'm taking great interest in Trevor's career.
And as everyone else has said, thank you for your work. This blog is to be envied by every fan of any sport.
Lewis is a gem of a talent who will have a 15-year career in the NHL.
I bet he's with the Big Club by the end of this season, at the latest.
He spoke of getting "bigger, faster and stronger."
At 20 years old, he's 6'1" tall, listed at 192 (on last years roster), and is an aknowledged gym rat a la
Rod Brindamour.
His junior coach praised his conditioning to
the skies.
By the time he is 22-23, he's like likely to weigh in around 200-205.
His emergence will help heal the sense of loss many fans carry from when
we traded Demitra
for "The Future".
TL is a sweet part of
that future.
I'm just a fan but I think that players who answer questions by saying, "Well, obviously..." I think just sounds bad. I know it's not a big deal, it just sounds funny reading it.
Rich,
I know you hear this constantly, day in and day out, but it's true; thank you for putting all the effort and time into this. I can't get enough of it.
Being just 16 years old and living in Canada, I never really get to hear or read about or see the Kings on TV or in the newspaper, and I certainly don't get to go to their open practices and prospect camps, and I just wanted you to know that I love coming on here every single day and reading about the latest news about the Kings... and this recent development camp report has been incredible.
At least one of the positives is that I get to see Kings prospects such as Trevor Lewis (and others) play here in the OHL and see them before they make it big.
Anyways, I just wanted to thank you and to tell you that you are doing an amazing job and to keep up the great work!!!
I want to add my THANK YOU to your growing list. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by this fan and his family. We don't get a lot of hockey news up here in Oxnard let alone Kings news. Thanks again for the great job.
Tom
Rich,
As others have already stated, your blog is absolutely outstanding. I have been looking for something like this on the web for many many years. This is the 1st site I open up everyday to get your latest insight/interviews/ and analysis of the Kings. I look very foward to your next post!!
Thanks again
Jerry
Rich,
Who do u think will be the 4. line center this season? Is Sully gonna play wing or center? Hopefully Kopitar is going to center the 1. line with Cammy and Frolov on the wings! what do u think?
thank u again for making it possible to follow the Kings so close from Norway. will see them for the first time live in London sept 30. CANT WAIT!
32
Not a Lewis question, but ...
Hey Rich, do you know if the Kings considered (or are considering) offering a contract to Dustin Penner? I know he played for the Ugly Ducklings, but he is the big-body scorer that could really help the Kings in front of the net on power plays, don't you think? I may be mistaken, but I think he is a restricted free agent still unsigned by Anaheim. Is there any way to ask the Kings management/Lombardi about Penner without them "tipping" their hand?
To add to Ex's any chance Kings make an offer to Avery or any chance he'd want to come back to LA?
According to nhlnumbers they are now over the cap w/ Shanny and Henrik signing.
While the Kings don't have a lot of room on the roster he'd be good to have if Nagy or Calder don't perform on the 2nd line then they can be dropped down and we're not relying on one of the kids to move up and suddenly deliver. Heck- If I recall I believe Army and Avery seemed to play well together on occasion so maybe we could have 3 scoring lines.
If the Kings don't do it someone needs to go after the Rangers just to make sure they feel the pain of giving out those high $ long contracts.
Reply to JB -
That is a great strategy! I, too, think somebody should show the Rangers a lesson by going after either Avery or Lundqvist (not sure if he's still on the market) or whoever. While Avery was not one of my favorites because of all the stupid penalties, he seemed to tone it down near the end of his Kings stay. I don't know about his performance with the NYR but he really has a lot of skill if he can keep his temper in check.
Go Kings Go!
My bad- Just realized Avery filed for arb so he can't explore any offers. Still looks like Rangers will have to dump someone via trade or just hope no one gets injured during the season.
Ex- Agree w/ you about Avery. Never a big fan and couldn't stand his stupid penalties and diving.
But he has some skill, energy and played well w/ Rangers (at least in the games I watched on tv) and as you said mellowed out this last season. A trade is always an option but Rangers have some time to sort out their cap issues. I suspect most GM's will wait until training camp to figure out their needs.