“The long wait is over! After 45 years, the Kings can wear their crown!” Nick Nickson exclaimed when the LA Kings clinched their first-ever Stanley Cup. But now it is more like the end of an era. Back in October 2024, the longtime voice of the LA Kings, Nick Nickson, broke the news that the 2024-2025 season would be his final run with the team. Nickson has been in broadcasting for almost five decades and with the Kings for 44 years, making him a legend in his own right. Even when the Kings merged their TV and radio booths in 2023, Nickson stayed in the spotlight, taking on the role as the unified voice of the team after Alex Faust was let go.

In his emotional announcement, Nickson shared how it just felt like the right time to step away, after a career that began in 1975. “Through it all, I have enjoyed calling every shot, every save, every goal, and two Stanley Cups.” he said. He thanked his family, the Kings, and the fans for the support they have been giving him throughout the years and said that it has always been a great feeling for him, “It has always meant the world to me.” It’s a bittersweet goodbye, but Nickson’s legacy in LA Kings history will live on. But now, LA Kings icon Nick Nickson has opened up about the real reason behind his decision to retire from the NHL.

Nick Nickson’s real reason behind retirement revealed!

Helene Elliott, the former sports columnist for the LA Times and 2005 Elmer Ferguson Hockey Hall of Fame honoree, took to X on April 1 to drop the news behind Nick Nickson’s retirement. She shared, “Man of the hour: Nick Nickson before a ceremony to honor his remarkable announcing career. “Ready,” he said of his imminent retirement. Wants to see more of his grandkids and travel with wife Carolyn.” Looks like Nick’s ready for a new chapter, and it’s all about family and new adventures now!

Nick Nickson’s association with the LA Kings has been quite a fairy tale. In 1981, Nickson began his career with the Kings as a television announcer with Bob Miller and later became the radio play-by-play announcer for the Kings since the 1990 season. He was the one fans looked to when the Kings captured their first-ever Stanley Cup. Then in 2014, when Alec Martinez scored in double overtime, Nickson’s voice again echoed, “Alec Martinez has won the Stanley Cup for the Los Angeles Kings!”

Nickson’s career has also seen him honored with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2015, cementing his legacy in the Hockey Hall of Fame. But he did not only contribute to the field of hockey; he also ventured into baseball and was the public address announcer of the LA Dodgers from 1983 to 1989, including the World Series Championship in 1988. With the recent merging of the Kings’ TV and radio broadcasts, Nickson’s voice remains the constant thread for Kings fans, ensuring his legacy will continue to live on with the team. And of course, with a legacy like his, it was clear he deserved to be honored—and that’s exactly what the LA Kings are doing!

LA Kings to honor Nickson!

So, here’s the deal—just a few days ago, the Kings dropped some big news. They’re all set to honor the legendary broadcaster, Nick Nickson, with a pre-game ceremony before their game against the Jets on Tuesday. This is gonna be a big one, considering Nickson’s been calling Kings games for a whopping 44 years on both TV and radio. Can you believe it? Over 3,800 games!

Now, this moment is extra special because Nickson’s retiring at the end of the season. But before that, the Kings had a little heart-to-heart with him in 2023, offering him the chance to simulcast both the radio and TV calls for a couple more years. Nickson admitted, “Had it not been for the change, last year might have been my last,” which really gives you a feel for how close we came to losing him a bit sooner.

And if you’re lucky enough to be there for the ceremony, you’re in for a treat! Patrick O’Neal from FanDuel Sports Network West will host the event, and every fan in attendance will get a commemorative Nickson poster to take home. It’s a celebration of a career that’s become a huge part of Kings’ history.