“It was special”: Former Kings winger Daryl Evans reveals true feelings on Toronto Maples Leafs, Wayne Gretzky and Miracle of Manchester

Any particular hockey player back since the late 80’s was remembered by their iconic stints with different teams. Knowing that it hasn’t been easy for any individual to change his country, his teammates, his house and his traditional culture, Daryl Evans is one exception. The 60-years-old retired Canadian ice hockey player was a Toronto native yet was able to make a name for himself as soon as he was drafted in 1980, by the Los Angeles Kings.

Sports fanatics have witnessed the biggest of sporting prospects to stall as soon as the environment around them chances. However, with Daryl Evans, it seemed like the move to LA at a very young age, proved to do wonders. Playing over 100 games over the course of four season for the Kings, Daryl Evans is surely one of the most respected icons of the franchise. And rightly so, has become their radio colour commentator since retiring from the sport.

Daryl Evans opinionated about major change from Canada to Los Angeles

Entering his 23^rd season in the commentary booth, Evans was in conversation with Betway wherein he disclosed his honest opinion upon how he coped up with the change from Canada to US at such a young and tender age, “It was definitely an eye opener. Not only growing up in Canada, but Toronto being the hockey hotbed of the world, and then going to Los Angeles at that time.

“I’d gone to the United States and played games before, in tournaments in Detroit and things like that, and got a chance to see the way the game was evolving, how it was growing in the US. But going to a non-traditional hockey market was a lot different.”

The 60-years-old commentator added, “In Toronto, it’s hockey, hockey, hockey everywhere. You want to strike up a conversation with somebody, just talk about the Maple Leafs and you’ll be engaged for a great period of time.

“It was a transition in that hockey wasn’t at the forefront. You had the Dodgers, the Lakers, the Raiders playing at that time. Hockey was a sport that was down on the totem pole a little bit.”

Daryl Evans spent majority of his years in California and witnessed the growth of ice hockey all around the State with his own eyes. Given that sports like basketball, baseball and American football are way too popular in the country, Evans appreciates the fact that US have always tried to develop the sport of ice hockey and has made rationalized decision in order for the NHL to grow in the right direction.

LA Kings legend signifies the contribution of Wayne Gretzky in increasing NHL popularity

Wayne Gretzky is defined as one of the key figures, why the sport of hockey was able to rise its popularity in California and Daryl Evans only went onto acknowledge it. However, the latter winger never got a chance to play with ‘The Great One’ in the same team or perhaps the same time in the league as he retired from the league a year before.

“Wayne Gretzky brought the Hollywood scene into it, and I think anytime that you get that type of attention, it becomes magnified, everybody else starts to pay attention to it. What he did, by coming to Los Angeles, took our game to a different level and kind of put it on par with Canada and Toronto.

“As a young player that comes in, especially when you’re going into a new environment, to see the city embrace you, and the people embrace you and know who you are, it’s a warm feeling. It makes it that transition, going to a strange area, strange part of the country – maybe a new country – a lot easier and more comfortable for you to be able to go out there and perform your job.”

However, Evans still got to great chance to experience the impact of Gretzky in amplifying the reach of hockey in his adopted home town.

“Gordie Howe was his idol, who’s the ultimate professional. I think Wayne carried a lot of those characteristics and traits. I had the great fortune of playing both hockey and baseball against Wayne since we were nine years old. So, we’d built a little bit of a friendship all the way through, but it would have been nice to have stepped on the ice alongside him playing on the same team.”

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Evans reveals the Miracle of Manchester as his greatest moment

To bring fans on the same page, the Miracle of Manchester is the nickname given to the playoff game between the underdogs Los Angeles Kings and the highly dominant Edmonton Oilers. The latter team head into the headed into the game with more than 45 points than the Kings in the regular season, which made the majority believe that this is only going to a cakewalk.

Daryl Evans, who was considered as an outcast then, not only played against the Oilers but also scored the winning goal as the Kings made a comeback from being 5-0 down.

“It was an incredible moment,” remembered Evans. “I’ve learned to appreciate it more now, many years removed from it. When you do something like that in the NHL, and you do it against Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers, it magnifies it that much more.”

Lastly, Evans concluded the conversation with Betway’s Guy Giles after highlight his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“It was really special,” said Evans. “I remember growing up, it was Wednesday night and Saturday night hockey, listening to the games on a radio, when we’d be travelling to our own games. So, to be able to put that uniform on was really special, to step into Maple Leaf Gardens, it was really quiet a setting.

“Walking in those doors and walking into the locker room, those are special memories, even if all it was for a short period of time. They’re things that you can always cherish, and you never forget.”

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