Originally selected by the Minnesota Wild in the first-round (third overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, this is Gaborik's 18th NHL season. In addition to the Wild, Gaborik has also played with the Rangers and the Columbus Blue Jackets. A native of Slovakia, he was acquired by the Kings from the Blue Jackets on March 5, 2014.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on FOX Sports West prior to the Kings-Avalanche game that begins at 7:30 p.m.
Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Gaborik is the 53rd player to have played for the Kings to reach the 1,000 game milestone. Eighteen of those players accomplished the feat while in a Kings uniform: Ralph Backstrom, Rob Blake, Doug Bodger, Kelly Buchberger, Russ Courtnall, Marcel Dionne, Ray Ferraro, Garry Galley, Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Bob Nevin, Sean O'Donnell, Bob Pulford, Robyn Regehr, Luc Robitaille, Ryan Smyth, Dave Taylor and Garry Unger.
Gaborik will become the 314th player in NHL history to play in 1,000 games.
Kings forward Dustin Brown tonight is playing in his 997th career game and is on pace to play in his 1,000th game at STAPLES Center on December 21, the night Gaborik is honored pre-game.
Brown will become just the second player in Kings history to play in all 1,000 games for the Kings, joining Dave Taylor who played in 1,111 games as a King. Brown will also become the 48th player in NHL history to play their first 1,000 games for one franchise.
As part of these tremendous accomplishments, Gaborik and Brown will be featured in several upcoming special promotions in-arena between the Kings Care Foundation and LA Kings Game-Used Equipment departments including several VIP experiences. Additional details to be announced at a later time.
Tonight's Kings-Rangers game will be broadcast on FOX Sports West and KABC Radio with 30-minute pre-game shows starting at 3:30 p.m. (PT).
