Kings Have Appointed Drew Doughty as Team Captain
The veteran defenseman becomes the 15th captain in Los Angeles Kings history.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Hockey
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The Los Angeles Kings have officially named Drew Doughty as the 15th captain in the franchise’s history. The announcement occurred as the team kicked off its four-day training camp at the Toyota Sports Performance Center.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a new chapter for the franchise as they prepare for the upcoming season. Doughty brings extensive experience to the leadership role, having spent 19 seasons with the team and secured two Stanley Cup victories.
Drew Doughty, who stands 6-foot-1, has played 19 seasons and won two Stanley Cups. The team recently concluded a 7-1 loss in the Rookie Faceoff tournament on September 12, 2026.
The players
Drew Doughty
He is a long-time defenseman who has spent 19 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and won two Stanley Cups.
Peter Laviolette
He is the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who participated in the press conference announcing the new team captain.
Ken Holland
He is a veteran hockey executive who was present during the captaincy announcement press conference.
The details
The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Doughty, coach Peter Laviolette, and Ken Holland. Following the news, the organization began its training camp, which features on-ice drills and scrimmages for the roster.
Timeline
September 12, 2026: The Los Angeles Kings participated in a Rookie Faceoff tournament game.
September 18, 2026: Training camp began at 9:45 a.m. and Doughty was named captain.
September 21, 2026: The four-day training camp event is scheduled to conclude.
The Big Picture
The appointment of a new captain follows a pattern set by the 1967 NHL expansion to establish long-term organizational stability. This decision highlights the team’s reliance on veteran leadership to manage the shift in franchise culture.
The captaincy designation locks in Doughty as the primary on-ice leader for the duration of the season. Fans and fantasy managers should account for his increased accountability role as he directs the team through its scheduled training and regular season matches.
The takeaway
Doughty’s appointment signals a commitment to leveraging veteran experience during a critical transition period for the roster. Readers should watch for how this leadership change influences team performance during the upcoming high-intensity training sessions.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments, visit Los Angeles Hockey.
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Do you believe long-term players make the most effective captains for your local professional sports team?
