Kings defender Drew Doughty in Toronto as L.A. prepares to face the Leafs. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawirewestphotosthree170331
At the age of 22 Drew Doughty is already an Olympic Gold Medalist and now he is looking to help backstop the Los Angeles Kings to the first Stanley Cup in team history. The Kings have gone from last to first in seven weeks with timely goals and solid defense led by Doughty. They will look to continue the run for one more series as they travel to New Jersey to face the Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Like most Canadian kids Doughty was introduced to the game of hockey at a young age. He was given his first hockey stick for his first birthday. Paul and Connie Doughty then had their son skating at the age of two. Doughty also was a soccer goalie until the age of 14 when he quit to focus on his hockey career.
Doughty was drafted second overall in the 2008 draft by the Kings and made an immediate impact on the team playing in 81 of the team’s 82 games. His performance also earned him the nod for the NHL All-Rookie Team and the Young Stars Game at the All-Star weekend. He continued to improve in his second season being nominated for the Norris Trophy as the league’s most outstanding defenseman. Doughty became the second youngest defenseman to get the nomination receiving it at the age of 20.
Los Angeles Kings second overall pick Drew Doughty (C) laughs with team representatives during the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa June 20, 2008. PATRICK DOYLE/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrltwo920587
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty #8 and St. Louis Blues right wing B.J. Crombeen #26 during the NHL regular season game between the St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Ric Tapia/Icon SMI 269/Ric Tapia/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotostwo793669
In 2010 the young defenseman was picked to represent Canada on their star studded Olympic team in Vancouver. Canada brought home the gold for Canada on their home ice and was the team’s first Olympic gold since 2002.
Canada's Drew Doughty waves the national flag celebrating their victory over USA in their gold medal game of men's Ice Hockey tournament at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, in Canada Hockey Place Vancouver, Canada, 28 February 2010. SRDJAN SUKI/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotosfour020525
Now for Doughty to win the Stanley Cup he will have to go through his fellow 2010 Olympic teammate Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils. The Kings are undefeated on the road and have beaten the top three Western Conference teams so Doughty and teammates will not be lacking of confidence going into the Finals.
For more photos of Drew Doughty and the road to the Stanley Cup check out Newscom.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty #8 shoves Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan #19 get tangled up during the third period of game 3 of the NHL Western Conference final game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. David Hood/Cal Sport Media/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: csmphoto603390
Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty (R) looks at referee Kevin Pollock while celebrating a goal scored by a teammate during Game 3 of their NHL Western Conference semi-final playoff hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Los Angeles, California May 3, 2012. LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive219455
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) gets congratulated by Drew Doughty at the end of game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. on May 13,2012. The Kings beat the Coyotes 4-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. ART FOXALL/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo158042
Drew Doughty 2010 NHL Awards red carpet arrivals held at The Palms Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. JE1 WENN Photos/Newscom. Find it on Newcom.com: wennphotostwo502581
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Tags: canada, LA Kings, Los Angeles, NHL, Olympics, Stanley Cup, winter olympics
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