LA Kings Must Do More Than Honor Legend Rogie Vachon During A Pre-Game Ceremony

LOS ANGELES — Last week, the Los Angeles Kings paid tribute to their past in the first of three “Legends Nights” this season. Rather appropriately, the first legend they chose to honor was their first true superstar and the first Kings player to have his jersey retired, superstar goaltender Rogatien “Rogie” Vachon.

Accompanied by his wife, children and their families, Vachon was honored during a pre-game ceremony, one that brought a visible smile to his face.

“It was very, very well done,” said the 65-year-old native of Palmarolle, Quebec. “[Kings President/Business Operations]Luc Robitaille and the [communications] department did a fantastic job. They planned it very well, and they asked me which people I wanted to invite. Having the whole family on the ice at the same time was very special.”

“A few months ago, Luc called me and wanted to find out if I would be willing to do that,” added Vachon. “Luc has been so good to our family, so I said, ‘OK, I’ll do it for you.’”

“Looking back, I think it’s going to be a nice souvenir for the whole family, especially for the grand kids.”

Vachon was an obvious choice for Robitaille, since Vachon was the Kings general manager when Robitaille was selected in the ninth round, 171st overall, in the 1984 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

“Being a kid from Montreal, I knew the legend—Rogie Vachon,” said Robitaille, the highest scoring left wing in NHL history. “It was more like—when I saw him, then, he was suddenly the general manager.”

“You’re a hockey player from Quebec, and you hear about this legend,” added Robitaille. “The next thing you know, he’s the general manager. It was very impactful [sic]. For me, it was a grand moment.”

Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Kings