1967 Expansion Draft
The historic draft that doubled the league and birthed the Kings franchise in Hollywood.
The 1967 NHL Expansion Draft stands as the foundational event for the Los Angeles Kings, marking the end of the Original Six era. In this pivotal moment, the league invited six new franchises to join, effectively doubling its size and bringing professional hockey to the West Coast for good. For the Kings, this draft was not merely a roster-building exercise but a cultural transplant. It tasked team officials with selecting veteran talent from established clubs like Detroit and Montreal to populate a brand-new organization in Los Angeles. This event set the stage for decades of history, defining the club's early struggles and eventual resilience within the National Hockey League.
- Draft Date
- June 6, 1967
Lore & Background
Before the Kings could compete for championships, they had to exist at all. The 1967 Expansion Draft was the mechanism that allowed hockey to break its eastern geographic stranglehold. It was a time of optimism mixed with uncertainty; fans in Los Angeles were eager but skeptical about whether a cold-weather sport could thrive under California sun and palm trees. The teams selected players who had been "exposed" by their original clubs, often veterans looking for a fresh start or younger players seeking playing time. This created a unique roster dynamic where experience met opportunity. The Kings utilized this draft to secure key figures, though Ron Stewart was not among them—he was acquired via trade from the Boston Bruins on June 12, 1968, and later became the Kings' first captain for the 1968-69 season, not the inaugural 1967-68 season. The team began their inaugural season at the Long Beach Arena before moving to the Los Angeles Sports Arena later that year.
In Their Own Story
The room was quiet, save for the scratching of pens on paper. In a hotel suite in New York, Jack Kent Cooke and his advisors looked at the list of available players. They weren't just picking names; they were building a city's first NHL team. Across the table, representatives from the Original Six guarded their rosters fiercely. When the Kings finally claimed Ron Stewart from Detroit, a collective breath was exhaled. It wasn't just a trade; it was a promise to the fans waiting back in Los Angeles that the game had arrived for good.
Reader's Guide
The 1967 Expansion Draft marks the genesis of the Los Angeles Kings franchise, ending the Original Six monopoly that had defined professional hockey for decades. This era was defined by rapid growth and the challenge of establishing identity in a new market without established traditions. For the Kings, it meant assembling a roster from veterans discarded by storied clubs like Detroit and Montreal. This chapter matters because it set the foundation for the club's resilience. The early struggles in the Los Angeles Sports Arena forged a gritty team culture that would eventually lead to future Stanley Cup triumphs. It represents the moment hockey truly became a national sport, bringing the game to the West Coast permanently. The draft itself was a high-stakes gamble where ownership selected talent hoping to spark immediate success in Hollywood. Ultimately, this history reminds fans of the humble beginnings before the glory years. Understanding this expansion helps appreciate how far the organization has traveled from its first puck drop to becoming champions. It is the bedrock upon which every subsequent season stands today.
Did You Know?
- The draft doubled the NHL from six to twelve teams overnight.
- Ron Stewart was not selected in the expansion draft; he was acquired via trade on June 12, 1968, and became the Kings' first captain for the 1968-69 season, not the inaugural 1967-68 season.
- The Kings played the first part of their inaugural season at the Long Beach Arena before moving to the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
- This expansion brought professional hockey permanently to the West Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the 1967 Expansion Draft?
This event marked the moment the NHL doubled its size from six to twelve teams, officially creating the Los Angeles Kings franchise. It allowed new expansion clubs to select players from existing Original Six rosters to build their initial lineups.
When did this historic draft take place?
The selection process occurred on June 5, 1967, serving as the birth certificate for the team's official existence within the league. This date signifies the transition from the Original Six era into a new chapter of professional hockey history.
Who was named the first captain during this period?
Ron Stewart became the inaugural captain chosen to lead this newly formed organization on and off the ice. He played a crucial role in establishing leadership during those early foundational years at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Why is this draft considered important for Kings fans?
It represents the cultural transplant that brought professional hockey to the West Coast for the first time on a permanent basis. Without this specific roster-building exercise, there would be no franchise history or legacy to celebrate today.
How did it change the league structure?
The draft effectively ended the Original Six era by inviting six new franchises to join and compete alongside established clubs like Detroit and Montreal. This expansion doubled the total number of teams in the NHL, paving the way for modern hockey geography.