Kings to retire Dustin Brown's number, unveil statue
Dustin Brown is getting some serious star treatment.
The Los Angeles Kings will retire the former NHL winger's number and unveil a statue in his honor during a ceremony on Feb. 11 at Crypto.com Arena, they announced Tuesday.
Brown's No. 23 will be the seventh number in franchise history to reach the rafters, joining those of Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, and Rob Blake.
He'll become the third Kings player to have a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, after Gretzky and Robitaille.
Brown played his last game May 14 as the Edmonton Oilers eliminated Los Angeles in the first round of the postseason.
The 37-year-old spent his entire 18-season NHL career with the Kings since being drafted 13th overall in 2003. He captained the squad to Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014, making him the only American player in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
"Having my number retired is something I never imagined and is a humbling honor," Brown said. "I am incredibly proud that I played for the LA Kings my entire career. With my number going to the rafters, I am honored to be amongst the King greats, but it makes me think of the two banners already in the rafters, of which I am most proud.
"It took numerous people to raise those two banners; the same is true for this one. Thank you to all who have helped me achieve my dreams."
The New York native is the franchise's leader in games played (1,296) and ranks sixth in goals (325), eighth in assists (387), and seventh in points (712).
He tacked on 19 goals and 30 assists in 92 career playoff contests, including a combined 34 points in 46 games en route to the Kings' pair of Stanley Cup victories.
Brown served as Los Angeles' captain from 2008-09 to 2015-16.