Updated Stanley Cup has a surprise name: Kings co-owner Ed Roski

The Stanley Cup made its first public appearance Saturday since the Kings’ names were inscribed on it, and the updated trophy contained a surprise.

The name of club co-owner Ed Roski, omitted from the original list submitted to the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame, is on the top line following the names of owner Phil Anschutz, Anschutz’s wife, Nancy, and Tim Leiweke, head of the Kings’ parent company. That gave the Kings 53 names on the Cup, one above the limit, but Roski’s ownership role was considered important enough for the league to add his name.

Roski teamed with Phil Anschutz to buy the Kings out of bankruptcy in 1995, but the two men later became opponents in backing different proposals for a local NFL stadium.

Forward Andrei Loktionov, not on the initial list, was not added though he had arguably stronger credentials than Davis Drewiske and Kevin Westgarth, whose names were inscribed. Loktionov played 39 regular-season games and two playoff games, more than either Drewiske or Westgarth. The latter two didn’t appear in any playoff games.

A Kings spokesman said Loktionov didn’t meet the internal criteria club executives had set for inclusion. They also gave weight to the seniority Drewiske and Westgarth had over Loktionov and that Drewiske and Westgarth spent the entire season with the Kings. Loktionov started and ended the season with Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League.

The Cup is scheduled to return to Los Angeles this week for a season-ticket holders’ event and other appearances.

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