Ex-King Taylor Joins Two Others In Rafters At L.A. Forum

Dave Taylor, who played more games for the Los Angeles Kings than anyone in their 28-year history, became the third member of the franchise to have his uniform number retired.

The 17-year veteran right wing was honored in ceremonies preceding Monday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, joining Hall of Fame center Marcel Dionne and goaltender Rogie Vachon as the only Kings to receive the honor.

Taylor, the 210th player taken in the 1975 draft out of Clarkson University, was the only member of that trio to play his entire career in Los Angeles. A black sheet on the north wall of the Forum revealed his familiar No. 18, which he wore during 1,111 regular-season games and 26 more in the playoffs.

“From my first season in Los Angeles in 1977 … the ownership of the Kings have always been very, very good to me,” said Taylor, who finally reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1993, when the Kings lost to Montreal in five games.

“This whole evening certainly means a lot to us, and I’d like to thank the Los Angeles Kings fans who have been behind us through thick and thin. I’ve always been a King and I always will be.”

Only 10 men in NHL history have played more consecutive seasons with the same team, and all of them are in the Hall of Fame. The only player since the 1967 expansion to equal Taylor’s 17 seasons for one team is Buffalo’s Gilbert Perreault.

“Seventeen years with one team is an amazing accomplishment in this day and age in professional sports,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said after waiting through a chorus of boos directed at him from the sellout crowd of 16,005. “You will always represent the best in your profession - perseverance, dedication to the game and leadership.”

“It’s a very special evening, and it takes a very special individual to deserve this evening,” said Kings captain Wayne Gretzky.