1/13/2000

Transactions

Los Angeles' 4th choice, 70th overall, in 1988 Entry Draft. Drafted after his freshman year at Bowling Green. Returned to college for two more all-star seasons. Was one of 10 finalists for the 1989-90 Hobey Baker Award. His long-time hockey idol was Larry Robinson, whom he later played with, and was later coached by, in Los Angeles.

Traded to Colorado by Los Angeles with Steven Reinprecht for Aaron Miller, Adam Deadmarsh, Colorado’s first round choice in the 2001 Entry Draft, a prospect to be named later, and a conditional draft choice February 21, 2001.

Career: s ... Made his NHL debut playing the final four games of the 1989-90 season ... Scored his first NHL goal in the playoffs vs. Calgary on Apr. 12, 1990 ... Named Kings' outstanding defenseman and selected to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1990-91 ... Led all NHL rookie defensemen in scoring ... Honored again as the Kings' outstanding defenseman in each of the next three seasons ... Missed 23 games due to injury and illness in 1991-92, but still led all Kings defensemen in scoring ... Led Kings' defensemen in scoring again in 1992-93 and 1993-94 ... Played in his first All-Star Game during 1993-94 season ... Missed 24 games during 1994-95 season due to a groin injury.

NHL Firsts

Game: March 27, 1990 vs. WPG
Goal: October 9, 1990 at VAN

Career Milestones

Most Goals/Game: 3 - 12/14/00 vs. NYR
Most Assists/Game: 4 (2x) Last: January 29, 1998 vs. CGY
Most Points/Game: 5 - 12/14/00 vs. NYR

Career

1998-99:  Led all Kings defensemen in scoring for the fifth time with 35 points…Scored his 100^th career goal 3/15/99 vs. Ottawa, becoming the first Kings defenseman to reach the milestone…Along with Pavel Rosa, assisted on Luc Robitaille’s 500^th career goal 1/7/99 vs. Buffalo…Appeared in his second All-Star Game at Tampa Bay and scored a goal…Led all Kings in ice time, averaging 25 minutes per game…Named co-recipient of the Kings Care Foundation’s Community Service Award.

1997-98:  Became the first King to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman…Named the Kings best defenseman for the fifth time…Named the club’s MVP for the first time…Led all Kings defensemen in scoring for the fourth time (50 points)…Led all NHL defensemen in goals with 23 (career single season high)…Led Kings in ice time with an average of 26:40 per game…Recorded four assists in one period (second period vs. Calgary 1/2/98), marking just the 51^st time in League history the feat has been accomplished and the third time by a King…Played his 400^th career game 10/26/97 at Tampa Bay.

1996-97:  Led all Kings defensemen in scoring for the third time (31 points).

1995-96:  Suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in the sixth game of the year at Washington 10/20/95, ending his season…Had surgery 11/14/95…His lone goal came 10/12/95 vs. Vancouver…Earned the team’s Community Service Award, along with teammate Eric Lacroix.

1994-95:  Played his 300^th career game 1/26/95 at St. Louis…Recorded his 200^th point with an assist 3/6/95 at Dallas.

1993-94:  Named the Kings outstanding defenseman for the fourth straight year…Led all Kings defensemen in scoring for the second time (68 points), establishing career highs for assists (48) and points (68)…Played in his first All-Star Game 1/22/94 at Madison Square Garden in New York and picked up and assist.

1992-93:  Named the Kings outstanding defenseman for the third straight year…Led all Kings defensemen in scoring (59 points).

1991-92:  Named the Kings outstanding defenseman for the second time…scored 20 points (7g/13a) in 57 games.

1990-91:  Named the Kings outstanding defenseman and earned NHL All-Rookie Team honors on defense…Scored his first regular season goal 10/9/90 at Vancouver…Led all NHL rookie defensemen in scoring with 46 points.

1989-90:  Completed his junior year with All-CCHA First Team honors…Had 59 points (second overall) and a team-high 140 penalty minutes…Was one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award…Jointed the Kings for the final four games of the regular season, making his NHL debut 3/27/90 vs. Winnipeg…Appeared in eight of the Kings ten playoff games, scoring his first NHL goal 4/12/90 at Calgary in Game Five of the first round series.

1988-89:  Named All-CCHA Second Team on defense…Was second in scoring among the team’s defensemen with 32 points…Led the team in penalty minutes with 140.

1987-88:  Drafted by the Kings following his freshman year at Bowling Green University…Tied for the team lead with 88 penalty minutes.

Records and Accomplishments

ü     Won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 1998
ü     NHL First Team All-Star in 1998
ü     NHL Second Team All-Star in 2000
ü     Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1994, 1999, 2000, and 2001
ü     Led all NHL defensemen in goals (23) in 1997-98
ü     Led all NHL rookie defensemen scoring with 46 points in 1990-91
ü     Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1991
ü     Named Top Defenseman at the 1998 Olympics (Team Canada). (best forward - Pavel Bure, best goalie - Dominick Hasek)
ü     Named Top Defenseman at the 1997 World Championships (Team Canada)
ü     Wins Stanley Cup  - 6/9/2001 vs NJ while playing on the Colorado Avalanche

Other Facts:

- Blake revealed that the reason he uses and developed the hip check is to prevent injuring his shoulders (something he did frequently when younger).

More...
Resides in Manhattan Beach with his wife, Brandy…Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan…Favorite sport other than hockey is volleyball…Most memorable hockey moment was playing in the 1993 NHL Stanley Cup Finals…Most memorable moment away from the game was his wedding…Favorite movie is Rounders…Favorite actress is Jennifer Love Hewitt…Pets include a Great Dane named Bubba, two turtles, and fish…If not a hockey player, he would be a farmer…Favorite NHL city is Los Angeles…Enjoys going to dinner with teammates on the road…Nickname is Blakey…Favorite actor is James Caan…Enjoys reading Maxim magazine…Recently launched a clothing line called BLUELINE (www.blueline.com)…Favorite video game is Run 21…Favorite restaurant is Nehoo’s…Hosts a charity celebrity gold tournament each summer with Luc Robitaille.