Laviolette, 61, joins the Kings as the seventh-winningest coach in NHL history with an all-time record of 846-562-186 (.531 PTS %) spanning 23 seasons between the New York Islanders (2001-03), Carolina Hurricanes (2003-09), Philadelphia Flyers (2009-2014), Nashville Predators (2014-20), Washington Capitals (2020-23) and New York Rangers (2023-25) .
Housley, 62, joins the Kings organization with over a decade of coaching experience at the NHL level having most recently served as an assistant coach for the New York Rangers under Peter Laviolette for two seasons (2023-25). Prior to that, Housley was an assistant coach with the Arizona Coyotes for three seasons (2019-22) and previously served as head coach for the Buffalo Sabres (2017-19).
Hajt, 47, joins Laviolette’s coaching staff after completing his ninth season (2015-17, 2019-26) with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, where he most recently served as an associate coach. During the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns, Hajt was as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres on Phil Housley‘s staff, who now serves as the Kings’ associate coach.
Whitney, 54, joins the NHL coaching ranks with more than two decades of NHL experience as a player, having played in 1,330 career regular-season games over 22 seasons with the San Jose Sharks (1991-97), Edmonton Oilers (1997-98), Florida Panthers (1997-01), Columbus Blue Jackets (2000-03), Detroit Red Wings (2003-04), Carolina Hurricanes (2005-10), Phoenix Coyotes (2010-12) and Dallas Stars (2012-14).
Mike Buckley is set to begin his third season with the Kings after being named goaltending coach on June 9, 2023. Buckley joined the Kings coaching staff after spending eight seasons (2013-21) with the Pittsburgh Penguins as goaltending development coach (2013-17) and head goaltending coach (2017-21).
