Kings, Sharks to visit E Center

WEST VALLEY CITY — Derek Armstrong has called many places home throughout his lengthy professional hockey career. Few can rival the good memories from Armstrong's brief stay in Utah.

The veteran Los Angeles Kings center spent the 1993-94 season — his first as a pro — with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.

It was a productive rookie year for him. Armstrong finished second in scoring for the Golden Eagles with 58 points. His stint in Salt Lake became a launching pad to his eventual NHL career.

"It was a big step and a big turning point in my life," Armstrong said.

Now, for the first time in a decade, he will return to the place where it all started when the Kings take on the San Jose Sharks at the E Center tonight. It will be the first NHL hockey exhibition match in Utah in a decade.

The same two teams were here on Oct. 3, 1998, when the Kings held off the Sharks for a 2-1 overtime victory at the Delta Center.

Los Angeles has plenty of connections to draw it to Utah. Kings president Luc Robitaille owns a home in Park City. Former Murray resident Trevor Lewis was taken by Los Angeles as the 17th pick overall in the 2006 NHL draft and is currently assigned to the team's AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H.

All that aside, bringing an NHL game to Utah makes sense from a marketing standpoint. The league is searching for ways to cultivate fans in non-NHL markets, and farming out exhibition matches helps create awareness.

"It just helps get our brand out there, but it also helps people get the opportunity to see NHL hockey," said Chris McGowan, the Kings' chief marketing officer.

McGowan said the trip to Salt Lake City was a financial success for Los Angeles a decade ago. He anticipates that another successful outing in West Valley City could open the door for more visits in future exhibition seasons.

For fans making the trek to the E Center today, the match between Los Angeles and San Jose promises to be a good one. It marks the final preseason contest for both teams before the regular season starts the next week.

Armstrong expects the Kings to be in regular-season form when they hit the ice at the E Center. They are still adjusting to a new coach, Terry Murray, and it will offer a perfect chance for a trial run before their season opener against San Jose on October 11.

Armstrong thinks the Kings will do well under Murray.

"He's been great so far," Armstrong said. "He's a teacher, which is definitely important for our team. We've got a young team here."

The exhibition game will not only be a big deal for fans in this market, but for the Utah Grizzlies as well. It will serve as a reminder to Grizzlies players what they are aspiring to in pro hockey.

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