Highly respected defenseman Sean O'Donnell, who played seven-plus seasons for the Kings, is coming back to the fold.
But not to play defense.
The Kings were expected to announce later Wednesday the hiring of O'Donnell. He will have multiple responsibilities within the organization in a management role, primarily working with the team's fan development department and alumni relations office.
There will also be a broadcast component to O'Donnell's job. He has some TV experience in his background, having worked with the regional New England Sports Network when he was out injured in Boston.
The 41-year-old played in the NHL for 17 seasons and officially retired from the league in January. He is one of the few individuals who has played for both the Kings and the Ducks. O'Donnell joined the Ducks in the 2005-06 season and played two more seasons in Anaheim, including the run to the Stanley Cup in 2007.
He had two tours of duty with the Kings -- the first from 1994-95 to 1999-2000 and then rejoined the Kings in 2008. He also played for Minnesota, New Jersey, Boston, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Chicago and finished his NHL career with the Blackhawks.
O'Donnell played 1,224 regular-season games in the NHL, scoring 31 goals and 229 points and recorded 1,809 penalty minutes.
-- Lisa Dillman
