John Tonelli

Before John Tonelli was a King, he was a Calgary Flame. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's going to go through the same kind of gut-wrenching emotions during the Smythe Division playoffs that plagued Wayne Gretzky during the semifinal series against Edmonton. It's a different story for Tonelli in the series that begins tonight at Calgary. He wasn't called the Great One in Calgary. In fact, he wasn't called much at all during the playoffs the last couple of years he was with the Flames.

Free-agent left wing John Tonelli, who had said he sensed the Kings were not interested in his returning next season, has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. Because Tonelli was a free agent without compensation, the Blackhawks are not required to give the Kings anyone in return. The Kings signed Tonelli as a free agent June 27, 1988. Last season with the Kings, Tonelli played in 71 games and had 14 goals and 16 assists.

Veteran forward John Tonelli has officially severed ties with the Kings by declining to sign a termination contract. That makes the 34-year-old, 13-year veteran a free agent. Tonelli and the Kings already had agreed on a settlement of his contract. Two other veterans, defenseman Tim Watters and Bob Halkidis, also have been offered termination contracts. The Kings expect to keep Watters but plan to buy out Halkidis' contract.

Veteran forward John Tonelli has officially severed ties with the Kings by declining to sign a termination contract. That makes the 34-year-old, 13-year veteran a free agent. Tonelli and the Kings already had agreed on a settlement of his contract. Two other veterans, defenseman Tim Watters and Bob Halkidis, also have been offered termination contracts. The Kings expect to keep Watters but plan to buy out Halkidis' contract.

Free-agent left wing John Tonelli, who had said he sensed the Kings were not interested in his returning next season, has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. Because Tonelli was a free agent without compensation, the Blackhawks are not required to give the Kings anyone in return. The Kings signed Tonelli as a free agent June 27, 1988. Last season with the Kings, Tonelli played in 71 games and had 14 goals and 16 assists.

Being a Kings fan, I have a few observations: 1) The crowd at Game 6 was great, let's keep it up. 2) Bernie Nicholls is a crybaby. 3) Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom for Nicholls was a steal. 4) Kelly Hrudey is a phenomenal playoff goalie. 5) Wayne Gretzky at 80% is better than 90% of the players at 100%. 6) John Tonelli and Steve Kasper are vital players to the Kings. 7) Steve Duchesne is regaining last year's form. 8) Marty McSorley plays extremely hard, and he is improving. 9) If they beat the Flames, they can beat anybody.

John Tonelli had two goals and two assists, including the go-ahead score, as the Kings scored five goals in the third period to beat the Hartford Whalers, 9-6, Saturday night. Wayne Gretzky, Bernie Nicholls and Ron Duguay also had two goals for the Kings, who won their third straight home game. The go-ahead goal came at 10:08 on a battle in the crease between Tonelli and Whalers defenseman Ulf Samuelsson.

John Tonelli was scheduled to arrive here early this morning after finally agreeing to contract terms with the Kings, according to General Manager Rogie Vachon. With the arrival of Tonelli, who was expected to be on the ice today, the Kings will have a full complement of players in camp. "It is very good news," Vachon said Sunday morning. Tonelli, 32, a left winger, had stayed at home in New York while details of a two-year contract were worked out.

As he skated through a brief practice at the Nassau Coliseum Saturday morning, John Tonelli considered the four Stanley Cup banners overhead that he had helped to win. He considered the New York Islanders' current slump, and he considered what effect the return of Al Arbour behind their bench was likely to have on the team and the crowd. And he concluded that the Kings might have their hands full, come game time. He was right.

John Tonelli got his first hat trick for the Kings Tuesday night, leading his teammates to a 7-3 victory at the Forum over the Calgary Flames, a team that Tonelli used to play for. A team he understands. "They have a nucleus of good, grinding-type players," Tonelli said. "They wanted to distract us and get us off our game. "We fell into that the last couple of games."

Veteran forward John Tonelli headed a list of 10 Kings left unprotected Wednesday for today's NHL expansion draft. Also thrown into the pool from which either the new San Jose Sharks or the Minnesota North Stars can take one King were defensemen Tim Watters, Bob Halkidis, Peter Prajsler and Tom Laidlaw, and forwards Ilkka Sinisalo and Scott Bjugstad, along with three minor leaguers, goalie Mario Gosselin, defenseman Rick Hayward and forward Jim Thomson.

Being a Kings fan, I have a few observations: 1) The crowd at Game 6 was great, let's keep it up. 2) Bernie Nicholls is a crybaby. 3) Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom for Nicholls was a steal. 4) Kelly Hrudey is a phenomenal playoff goalie. 5) Wayne Gretzky at 80% is better than 90% of the players at 100%. 6) John Tonelli and Steve Kasper are vital players to the Kings. 7) Steve Duchesne is regaining last year's form. 8) Marty McSorley plays extremely hard, and he is improving. 9) If they beat the Flames, they can beat anybody.

There was a spot waiting for John Tonelli when he reported to the Kings' training site Monday morning. A spot on a line with center Steve Kasper and right winger Keith Crowder. Tonelli will be on a checking line with the two former Boston Bruins. "Yeah, how about that?" Tonelli said with a grin of approval. Coach Tom Webster had seemed rather pleased with the idea, too, when he mentioned it before the early morning scrimmage.

John Tonelli was scheduled to arrive here early this morning after finally agreeing to contract terms with the Kings, according to General Manager Rogie Vachon. With the arrival of Tonelli, who was expected to be on the ice today, the Kings will have a full complement of players in camp. "It is very good news," Vachon said Sunday morning. Tonelli, 32, a left winger, had stayed at home in New York while details of a two-year contract were worked out.

Before John Tonelli was a King, he was a Calgary Flame. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's going to go through the same kind of gut-wrenching emotions during the Smythe Division playoffs that plagued Wayne Gretzky during the semifinal series against Edmonton. It's a different story for Tonelli in the series that begins tonight at Calgary. He wasn't called the Great One in Calgary. In fact, he wasn't called much at all during the playoffs the last couple of years he was with the Flames.

How could they have done such a thing to John Tonelli? Why would they cut him and slash him the way they did? What made the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames decide they didn't need him around anymore? What made a recent book about hockey players call him just about every name in the book? Hard to believe anybody could be so mean to good old "Tonto" Tonelli, trusty sidekick of hockey legends from Gordie Howe to Mike Bossy to Wayne Gretzky.

How could they have done such a thing to John Tonelli? Why would they cut him and slash him the way they did? What made the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames decide they didn't need him around anymore? What made a recent book about hockey players call him just about every name in the book? Hard to believe anybody could be so mean to good old "Tonto" Tonelli, trusty sidekick of hockey legends from Gordie Howe to Mike Bossy to Wayne Gretzky.

Veteran forward John Tonelli headed a list of 10 Kings left unprotected Wednesday for today's NHL expansion draft. Also thrown into the pool from which either the new San Jose Sharks or the Minnesota North Stars can take one King were defensemen Tim Watters, Bob Halkidis, Peter Prajsler and Tom Laidlaw, and forwards Ilkka Sinisalo and Scott Bjugstad, along with three minor leaguers, goalie Mario Gosselin, defenseman Rick Hayward and forward Jim Thomson.

John Tonelli had two goals and two assists, including the go-ahead score, as the Kings scored five goals in the third period to beat the Hartford Whalers, 9-6, Saturday night. Wayne Gretzky, Bernie Nicholls and Ron Duguay also had two goals for the Kings, who won their third straight home game. The go-ahead goal came at 10:08 on a battle in the crease between Tonelli and Whalers defenseman Ulf Samuelsson.

John Tonelli got his first hat trick for the Kings Tuesday night, leading his teammates to a 7-3 victory at the Forum over the Calgary Flames, a team that Tonelli used to play for. A team he understands. "They have a nucleus of good, grinding-type players," Tonelli said. "They wanted to distract us and get us off our game. "We fell into that the last couple of games."