Rob Blake

Robert Bowlby Blake (born December 10, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and executive. He played parts of 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks.

Blake is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Avalanche in 2001 and as an executive with the Kings in 2014. Blake is also an eight-time All-Star, being named one in 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Internationally, Blake played for Canada, winning a gold medal in 2002.

From 2017 until 2025, Blake served as the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Blake played parts of three years with the Bowling Green Falcons of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He had a successful time with the Falcons. He was named to the All-CCHA Second Team in 1989. The next season, Blake was named the CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman and was named to the All-CCHA First Team, as well as, the CCHA All-Tournament Team. The next season, Blake was named to the AHCA West First-Team All-American.

He was drafted 70th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1988 NHL entry draft. On March 27, 1990, he made his NHL debut in a 4–4 overtime tie against the Winnipeg Jets. On April 8, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Tomas Sandström goal in a Game 3 victory over the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division semi-finals. On April 12 in Game 5, Blake scored his first NHL goal against Mike Vernon in a 5–1 loss to the Flames. He finished his rookie season with 12 goals and 34 assists for 46 points. He was named to the All-Rookie Team for his efforts. He helped the Kings when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. They were eventually defeated by the Montreal Canadiens four games to one in the Final. On October 2, 1996, the Kings named Blake as their next team captain. The 1997–98 season was very successful for Blake. He finished scoring 23 goals and recording 27 points for 50 points in 81 games for the team. For his efforts, Blake was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

On February 21, 2001, the Kings traded Blake along with Steven Reinprecht to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, a 2001 first-round draft pick, a 2003 conditional first-round draft pick, and the rights to Jared Aulin. On July 1, 2001, Blake signed a five-year contract to stay with the Avalanche.

On July 1, 2006, Blake signed a two-year, $6 million contract to re-join the Los Angeles Kings. On November 4, 2006, Blake played his 1,000 NHL game in a 6–4 loss against the Phoenix Coyotes. On September 28, 2007, the Kings named Blake as captain of the team for a second time. He played parts of two seasons in his return to the Kings.

On July 3, 2008, Blake signed a one-year, $5 million contract to join the San Jose Sharks. He played parts of two seasons with the Sharks. On June 18, 2010, Blake announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

On June 23, 2014, Blake was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. On January 17, 2015, the Kings retired Blake's jersey number #4 and raised it to the rafters. 

Executive role
On July 18, 2013, Blake was named as a new assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Kings. During his first year as assistant gm, the Kings won the Stanley Cup that year. On April 10, 2017, the Kings promoted Blake as their new vice-president and general manager. On May 5, 2025, Blake decided to part ways with the Kings organization.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1969 births
Category:Living people
Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen
Category:Colorado Avalanche players
Category:Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario
Category:James Norris Memorial Trophy winners
Category:Los Angeles Kings players
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada
Category:San Jose Sharks players
Category:Stanley Cup champions