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Celebrating LA Kings Birthdays – March 24

By Ryan Gagne

18 Apr 1998: Defenseman Philippe Boucher of the Los Angeles Kings in action during a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
18 Apr 1998: Defenseman Philippe Boucher of the Los Angeles Kings in action during a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport /
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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.

Philippe Boucher – 1973 (50)

LA Kings Defensemen (1994 – 2002)

The Buffalo Sabres drafted Philippe Boucher in the first round with the 13th overall pick in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. After a calendar year, he debuted on Oct. 18, 1992, suiting up in just 65 games over the next three seasons with the Sabres before a trade to the Kings on Valentine’s Day 1995. Moreover, many fans may remember this transaction since LA also acquired Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr and Denis Tsygurov in exchange for a fifth-round pick (Marian Menhart), Charlie Huddy, Robb Stauber, and Alexei Zhitnik.

Apr. 18, 1998: Defenseman Philippe Boucher of the Los Angeles Kings in action during a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
Apr. 18, 1998: Defenseman Philippe Boucher of the Los Angeles Kings in action during a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport /

Over the next eight seasons, Boucher would patrol the Kings’ blueline playing in 312 games, collecting 109 points and a career-worst minus-31 rating. Eventually, in the summer of 2002, he departed the franchise and signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent before retiring with a Stanley Cup title in 2009 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Maxim Kuznetsov – 1976 (46)

LA Kings Defensemen (2002- 2005)

During the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, the Detroit Red Wings selected Maxim Kuznetsov with the 26th pick. After a lengthy stay with AHL with the Adirondack Red Wings and Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, he made his NHL debut on Oct. 17, 2000, roughly five years after being drafted.

Although Kuznetsov only played in 136 games, he suited up for 117 with the Red Wings over three years before a trade to LA on Mar. 11, 2003. Additionally, the exchange became famous for bringing Sean Avery to Hollywood, along with Jeff Tambellini, while Mathieu Schneider departed for Motor City. After 19 games in black and silver, Kuznetsov returned home to Russia to play with Dynamo Moscow in the summer of 2004.

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