Update/going forward
Sorry for the lack of updates in recent days. I had been scrambling in the last couple days to prepare for vacation and neglected to mention that I'd be gone for a while. I still have those interviews to put up, with I will as soon as possible. Over the next 10 days or so, I'm still keeping track of what's going on with the Kings, but the day-to-day updates will be limited, as they were this time last year, for those who remember. Any news that takes place will still be fully reported here.
From what I understand, the coaching search is making some strong progress and there should be some news fairly soon. The list is quickly getting narrowed.
To be honest though, I'm not really thinking about any of that today. Anyone who has visited the Daily News website today has probably seen that my colleague Matt McHale passed away today at age 50. Matt was my predecessor on the Kings beat, as well as me predecessor as deputy sports editor, but he had health issues for a number of years. It's impossible to put into words what Matt meant to my career. He was a friend and a mentor. He guided me through so many stories and through some tough times when I questioned whether I should find another line of work. He was patient, generous and such a tremendous writer. When Matt wrote a long feature, I would read every word. The subject didn't matter, because Matt would make it compelling. I think he took pride in helping young writers, and I will forever owe him a debt of gratitude.
So thanks for indulging me on that. I've have another post in a couple minutes talking about a feature that readers can participate in this week. I hope you enjoy...
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About Rich Hammond
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.
Sorry to read about Matt's passing. Did you hear any details regarding a prospect injury that happened this morning? Thanks for all the Kings coverage and enjoy your vacation, Rich!
Sorry to hear of your loss Rich...Matt sounded liked a great guy and mentor
Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and mentor. So young... such a shame...
On hockey, do you think that Ted Nolan will get any consideration as the Kings next coach? Thanks and keep up the great work.
Rich,
Sorry for your loss. I hope Matt had a chance to read many of the comments on this blog for the past, what is it 10 months. He should and hopefully was proud of what we feel you have accomplished and bring to us nearly everyday. You are excellent and if he helped make you that, I thank him for how he guided you.
I am sorry to hear about your loss Rich...Thanks again for all your hard work, it is VERY appreciated. Enjoy your time off.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and mentor.
We'll miss you while you are gone, but enjoy your time off.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and mentor.
We'll miss you while you are gone, but enjoy your time off.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and mentor.
We'll miss you while you are gone, but enjoy your time off.
My condolences, great mentors don't come by very often.
Thank you for taking the time to still give us the fans updates. Have a great vacation. You deserve it.
Roger
I'm very sorry to hear about Matt, Rich. Condolences to you and the Daily News family.
Thank you for what you do and sharing with us your memories of your friend. My condolences and try to enjoy your vacation given the circumstances.
Sorry for your loss Rich. Hopefully you can carry on the legacy Matt imparted to you and mentor the next guy just as well.
You deserve that vacation, and though it would make my days seem longer, you should take a full break from the Kings and the blog, both physically and mentally. If its this taxing to be a fan, I can only imagine how draining it would be to be a fan AND to report on the team what seems like 24/7.
Rich...I didn't know Matt well, but I remember him from the last couple of seasons he covered the Kings...saw him in the media room or the press box at all the home games and occasionally when I went to practice at what was then called the HealthSouth Training Center.
My condolences...even though I had limited contact with him, I always thought Matt was a nice guy.
my condolensces to you and mchale's family. I remember McHale's writings, any kings writer in this city is a great one. Time off will probably do you well.
This blog has brought many kings fans together, we'll all be waiting for you when you're back. Have a good vacation brother.
Please take solace in that Matt's influence will live on through your own writing and hard work. Thanks Rich.
And a tip of the glass, to Matt for helping Rich, become an invaluable part of our lives.
Rich sorry about your loss. There is no doubt in my mind that your friend's spirit carries on in your great writing and work ethic
Rich,
My condolences to you, your family and everyone at the Daily News.
Het Rich I'm glad to hear your ok you had me worried not that you don't deserve time off but you normally say something before you go I was gonna call the FBI and tell them to look for you.J/K
Anyway sorry to hear about your mentor you have my condolences. I sure he is very proud of the work you do and the writer you have become Remember to pass on what he gave you to the next generation and he will never really be gone. Have a great vaciation tell Lombardi to wait till after you're back to hire a coach so you won't have to do any work out there.
Rich - sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague
For those interested, the Kings currently have the most Cap space available of all NHL teams.
With all the talk of defense, will still need an strong physical veteran forward.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/
Sorry to hear for your loss. I been in your shoes before.
God rest his soul.
Rich,
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Too often we only hear about good people once they have left us.
You have worked extremely hard on behalf of us Kings fans, and I hope you have a terrific vacation.
I am absolutely floored, as I too enjoyed reading Matt prior to your becoming the Kings beat writer. 50 too... thats a few years younger than me... Pause for thought.
My sincerest condolences to you, the paper, and the McHale family. We live each day to the fullest, and we are so blessed to have the time we can share with others.
Rich,
Your loss is ours, we all feel the pain you're going through. Mentors are rare in life, their loss leaves us with a feeling of emptiness, a void that cannot be filled. My sincere condolences to you and the rest of the staff at the Daily News.
We hope you have a great vacation, its well deserved and long overdue. Are you coming to Maui again? If so look me up....Dinner on me at Mama's! Take care & God Bless...
Aloha,
Moondoggie
Sorry to hear about your loss of a good friend and mentor. His legacy will live on through you and the people you befriend and mentor. His friendship and mentorship is reflected in the care, attention to details, and passion you have for writing about the Kings and other sports.
Rich,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you your paper and the McHale family. Your wonderful job over the years and the tremendous coverage should be viewed as a great tribute to Matt. It's a good idea for you to take time off to clear your mind.
Rich,
Sorry to hear about Matt's passing. Hopefully he knows this already but as Kings fans, we all appreciate the work that he, Matthew Kredell and you had all done as reporters covering the Kings.
Thanks again for everything !
Rich, to lose a friend so young is very hard. You will always carry Matt's spirit with you. I'm sure he was just as proud of you. You are terrific at what you do and as you did with Matt, I read every word you write. You keep me, as a King's fan, grounded and sane!
Sorry for your loss!
KQ949
Let me echo what Rich said about Matt McHale. Matt and I worked together at the Star-News in Pasadena in 1983. We lost touch for awhile (though I always followed his writing, especially when he was the Kings beat writer) but then happily reconnected when I joined the Daily News almost two years ago. Matt was a great guy, not to mention a very talented journalist. The Daily News hasn't been the same since you left, Matt. I miss you and I know that your friends and former co-workers do as well. Rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss, Rich. Such events keep sports in the right perspective......
Word is that Flyers Asst. Coach Terry Murray will be the next coach of the Kings.
Ask Him about our new coach Murry
It's people like Mr. McHale and yourself who write about the sports we love and make them a little more interesting. Sincere condolences to you and all at the Daily for the loss of your friend and colleague.
Mark
I'm very sorry Rich about the loss of your friend. Keep up the great work.
Rich, sorry to hear you lost one of your friends. I'm sure he is just as proud of you, as you are of him.
Rich take a break!!! We don't need Kings updates in a time as this. You're well being is far more important than a damn hockey club. I don't know if you have a family (wife and kids), but they should hold your attention now. Give your mind a rest and spend some time with your loved ones. More important things than work.
Stay strong and well wishes