Long-Idled Storr Has His Head--if Not Redesigned Helmet--in Game

TAMPA, Fla. — When Jamie Storr first saw his newly redesigned helmet--for this season, he realized he could never wear it in a game. It depicted Japanese fighter planes protecting a castle, reflecting the heritage of the Kings’ backup goaltender, whose late mother, Keiko, was Japanese.

It was delivered Sept. 11.

Not wanting the design to be misinterpreted in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, Storr took the helmet home and put it on a shelf. Back at work, he returned to wearing the same helmet he has worn for the last four seasons, the one showing the dragons, a tiny Japanese flag and his mother’s initials.

That’s the one he’ll wear tonight when he faces the Tampa Bay Lightning in his season debut, giving No. 1 goaltender Felix Potvin a night off. Potvin will start Friday night’s game against the Florida Panthers.

It has been a long time between starts for Storr. Though he established career highs with 45 appearances and 19 victories last season, he has not played since losing to the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-0, on Feb. 18--three days after the Kings acquired Potvin in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks. On Feb. 20, Potvin made the first of his 45 consecutive starts, among them the last 23 regular-season games of last season, 13 playoff games and nine games this season.

Storr’s relegation to backup status has not been easy for the veteran, who in his eighth season is the Kings’ longest-tenured active player. But he has adjusted well and opened the eyes of Coach Andy Murray with a strong work ethic.

“I think maturity has something to do with it,” Storr said. “You practice hard so you’re ready to play. You can’t control your ice time. All you can do is, when you’re given the opportunity, make the most of it.

“That’s all I’m looking to do--just go in there and do exactly what I’ve been doing every day in practice: Work hard, stay focused and stop the puck.”

His coach has noticed.

“Jamie has been a different player this year,” Murray said. “He’s working extremely hard in practice, gaining a lot of respect from his teammates.

“It’s a tough life being that other goalie because you’re probably going to go a long time between starts and, even if you do play well, the other guy’s probably going to go back in there ... but Jamie’s been impressive.”

TONIGHT

at Tampa Bay, 4:30 PDT

Site--Ice Palace.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 3-4-1-1, Lightning 3-4-1-0.

Record vs. Lightning--0-1.

Update--The Lightning defeated the Kings, 1-0, Oct. 13 at Staples Center. Goaltender Kevin Weekes stopped 31 shots and Vaclav Prospal scored the only goal of the game 38 seconds into the third period.