Hockey's Back

Tonight was the first preseason game for the Los Angeles Kings as they hosted the Phoenix Coyotes in a split squad affair. Half of each team played at the Staples Center in LA and the other half at the Jobing.com Arena (worst name ever) in Phoenix. So, I got to spend my first night at the Staples Center and experience what I'd be doing for the season, the arena, and the team. It was a great experience.

View from the Broadcast Booths

Before the game, I followed around the Kings' radio play-by-play announcer Nick Nickson and color analyst Daryl Evans and got a tour of parts of the building. I saw where the broadcast booths are, and they are actually separate from the press box. The booths are together in the middle of the upper section of seats while the press box for writers and other staff members is up at the top of the arena. The view from the booths was just about perfect for hockey and there was plenty of space as well. Great place to watch a game!

The Kings' Radio Broadcast Booth

I also got to see the press dining room, known as the Chick Hearn Press Room, the Kings' locker room, and the postgame press conference room. The "event level" of the arena by the locker rooms was just renovated along with the rooms themselves. While it's smaller than the new clubhouses at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, it is still nice and creates an intimate atmosphere for the team.

Retired #'s and Championship Banners

During the game, I basically help out the broadcasters by providing any additional information they might need. I'll keep track of the out-of-town scores, confirm any scoring changes, and provide one of the Kings' media members with the broadcasters' three stars of the game. After the game, I will go down to the locker rooms to do interviews with players and the head coach and then edit the audio for use on the postgame show. I'm really excited to have these responsibilities and observe a professional radio broadcast.

Staples Center Scoreboard

As for the Staples Center, it is quite the venue. Being only 10 years old, it is expected that it will be very nice and modern. The biggest thing that stands out to me is that there are 3 levels of suites. That's right...3! In between the 200 level and the 300 level, 3 rings of luxury boxes ring the arena except for one end where there is a giant bar/club area.

Three Levels of Suites!

There are multiple LED boards around the arena, and the scoreboard was clear. The concourses were very large, clean, and had many different food options including McDonalds and California Pizza Kitchen. And the seating bowl, while big, seemed like there wasn't one bad view of the ice anywhere. Definitely a place I'd want to go to watch a game. Fortunately, I'll be watching at least 20 or so over the next few months.