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Celebrating LA Kings Player Birthdays – March 17

By Ryan Gagne

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Christian Wolanin #86 of the Los Angeles Kings shoots the puck during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Christian Wolanin #86 of the Los Angeles Kings shoots the puck during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Everyone loves a good celebration, so whether you are cutting your own cake or wishing friends and family a happy birthday today, here are a few LA Kings players, past and present, who were also born on this day.

Craig Duncanson – 1967 (56)

LA Kings Left Winger (1985 – 1990)

Duncanson was a first-round draft pick, ninth overall, for the Kings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Eventually, the native of Sudbury, Ontario, would make his NHL debut on Apr. 2, 1986, after splitting the season between the Sudbury Wolves and Cornwall Royals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), scoring a combined 110 points in 61 games.

Unfortunately, Duncanson struggled to crack the Kings’ lineup, suiting up for just 28 games over five seasons, collecting six points and 45 penalty minutes. Consequently, the Kings traded him on Sept. 6, 1990, to the Minnesota North Stars for netminder Daniel Berthiaume.

According to EliteProspects.com, he was last employed as the head coach of the Wolves but relieved of his duties early in the season.

Christian Wolanin – 1995 (28)

LA Kings Defenceman (2021 – 2022)

Wolanin was a fourth-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and he would eventually make his debut on Mar. 22, 2018. Although he only played ten games in his first call-up, he had a career year in 2018-19 with 12 points in 30 games.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Christian Wolanin, #86 of the Los Angeles Kings, shoots the puck during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Christian Wolanin, #86 of the Los Angeles Kings, shoots the puck during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

After four seasons and 59 games, the Senators traded away the native of Quebec City, Quebec, to the Kings in exchange for Michael Amadio on Mar. 29, 2021. Shortly after, he made his LA debut on Apr. 9, 2021, against the San Jose Sharks.

Although he had a brief stint with the team, the Buffalo Sabres claimed Wolanin off waivers on Oct. 16, 2021, dressing for a single game before the Kings reclaimed him on Dec. 1, 2021. Upon his return, he played in eight contests,  tallying a goal and an assist.

Currently, Wolanin is playing with the Vancouver Canucks, appearing in 12 games since signing as a free agent in July 2022.

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