LA Kings
In his 17th season as the Kings Radio Analyst, Daryl Evans and veteran Play-By-Play Announcer Nick Nickson are heard on all club radio broadcasts on flagship station TalkRadio 790 and along the Kings Radio Network.
A member of the Kings as a player from 1981-85, Evans scored one of the franchise’s most memorable goals in a game forever remembered as the “Miracle on Manchester.” Facing the heavily-favored Edmonton Oilers in the best-of-five first round of the 1982 playoffs, the Kings pulled off two huge upsets – one, in winning the series three games to two; and two, winning Game 3 of the series.
Down 5-0 in the third period of that game on April 10, 1982, the Kings steadily chipped away at Edmonton’s lead and tied the game with five seconds left in regulation. At 2:35 of the extra period, Evans, then a rookie, sent a shot over Grant Fuhr’s shoulder to seal an improbable end to an incredible game. Evans went on to lead the Kings in playoff scoring with 13 points (5-8=13) in 1982.
The past nine seasons, Evans has spearheaded a charitable giving program in which he has donated $100 for every Kings power play goal scored (for a total of $54,600) in both the regular season and the playoffs. The proceeds the first three years went to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California while the proceeds from the past six seasons went to the American Heart Association (he is also on the Board of Directors with that group).
During the 1998-99 season, Evans worked alongside Nickson as a back-up commentator. Prior to his full-time radio role, Evans served as the Director of Premium Seating Sales for STAPLES Center, where he was responsible for sales of luxury suites, premier seats and the premier club. Prior to taking the position at STAPLES Center, Evans managed at Martin Cadillac in West Los Angeles from 1992-99 where he reached Master Manager status seven straight years. Along with his role on the radio, Evans is also an executive with the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, formerly serving as the facility’s General Manager, and he sits on the Board for the Kings Alumni Association.
Originally selected by the Kings in the ninth-round (178th overall) of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, the left wing recorded 52 points (22-30=52) in 113 career NHL games with the Kings, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. Also, in 11 career playoff games, Evans, 54 (1/12/61), registered 13 points (all of those 13 points came with the Kings during the 1982 playoffs).
In addition, Evans coached the UCLA Bruins club hockey team in the Pac-8 League for two seasons (1997-99). They won the Pac-8 Championship in 1998-99 and also went to the National Championships in Utah in 1999, where they were eliminated. Evans was also named the Pac-8 Coach of the Year both years.
Evans, additionally, continues to serve as a Power Skating Consultant for the Kings, having started those duties in 2007; he works as a TV Analyst (pre-game, post-game and intermissions) for Kings games on FOX Sports West; and he annually contributes to Kings Vision (LAKings.com).
In 2015 the Kings introduced a new Youth Hockey Service award, which is now given annually to an active Kings player, after Evans. He also in 2015 was nominated for the best Radio Analyst award by the Southern California Sports Broadcasting group and the local chapter of the American Heart Association honored Evans with their inaugural “KING OF HEARTS” award.