I first met Ken at a stampede breakfast (I believe it was at Chinook Mall). Found out he knew my grandfather and he told me some funny golf stories of Willow Park.
Such a genuine guy. Loved his stories, he was a funny dude
Last edited by bettercallbettman; 03-12-2020 at 10:13 PM.
For fans of different ages, life pre king may be too easily overlooked.
In the Bremner era, the flames were like Florida. They damn near paid you, and still you had to be a serious hockey fan to want to buy tickets and give a crap.
When I think of Ken king I’ll think of handshakes and golf carts in 04. The step change for the org though was much bigger. Even if it doesn’t always work out, the difference between expecting to be ####ty and hoping to be surprised v expecting to be good an disappointed with not .. is everything. That’s an organizational shift I attribute to King.
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I really want to thank each of you for these stories.
While I am crying, I am smiling.
Ken would have appreciated these too, but then said he was just doing his job.
To quote Ken, “God bless you for being Flames’ fans”.
I had the chance to run in to Ken on the concourse a handful of times, and had a few chats with him.
Each time I walked away, I marvelled at how genuine his interest was in the opinions of guys like me, who share his passion about the team.
I always admired how when he concluded his interviews with Kerr he would thank / bless everyone for their interest in what they were trying to do. I mentioned that to him one time and after he thanked me and made it seem like I did him some kind of favour for noticing, I ended up being the recipient of one of his giant handshakes.
Truly one of a kind, and always to be remembered
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Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
Exp:
My first encounter with Ken King was at the Shaw Charity Classic in 2013. He was there to play in the pro am event and when I introduced myself he thought I was his designated caddy until he spotted the cast on my left hand. He shook my hand and said he promised not to crush it like the other one and we had a good laugh.
I followed his group for a few holes and Ken turned out to be a pretty good golfer.
There was another time where I had sent him an email asking if I could have DVD copy of the playoff video that was made for the first round. I can't remember the year but he sent a reply asking for my mailing address so he could mail a copy to me.
A few years ago I spotted Ken and one of his boys in the High River Sobeys. It was thanksgiving and mother and myself were getting some whipping cream and a pumpkin pie for a social function we were attending. Without even realising what had happened Ken paid for our cream and pie and wished both my mother and myself a happy Thanksgiving.
One of the nicest people you could ever meet
RIP Ken!
__________________
Last edited by Dion; 03-13-2020 at 12:53 AM.
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I'm saddened by this. More than I would be if it was a member of an organization I hadn't met before.
Why?
There are a few reasons.
(1) The stories I've heard have helped shaped my leadership style. I loved hearing the stories that Ken would walk the concourse, talk to fans, and stand in line at concessions then complain about how long then are, ask who to talk to about that!
(2) The team turned around under his tenure. Was it perfect? No. But I truly believe that a team cannot achieve let alone over achieve with poor management/leadership. He was the turning point, the key to the 2004 run, the 2015 Canucks series win.
(3) My birthday is in mid-May. In 2004 as my birthday approached I said to my folks "You know how I never know what I want for my birthday? This year I want airfare to Calgary if the Flames make the finals if I can get tickets. I'll worry about getting tickets, I just need to know that you can send me." They agreed, knowing that the Flames would never make it.
Spoilers alert
Spoiler!
They Did
I emailed Ken King and told him how big of a Flames fan I was, how I was from the East Coast, and couldn't risk booking flights and not getting tickets. I would be willing to pay for tickets but I needed to know I could buy them in order to book flights.
To my shock and amazement I got and email back asking where in the building I wanted tickets with prices listed.
I'll never forget the shock on my mom's face when I told her. She did everything she could but Aeroplan just didn't have space. I resigned myself to not going.
My uncle said "**** THAT"
He called WestJet and got me a reduced fare flight from Moncton. Only condition was that my cousin got the second ticket.
He told my mom the tickets were free.
She found out afterward they were a reduced fare (she paid the fare).
I'll never forget the energy of the Saddledome for game 6 of the 2004 finals.
I'll never forget walking the Red Mile.
I'll never forget the flights out and back.
I'll never forget.
I'm teary eyed thinking of this.
It's because Ken King approved it.
I'd love to be a sports executive. If it's in the cards, I'll try and follow the steps that Ken King demonstrated.
The respect I have for the man, and will always have for the man cannot be understated.
I was taken back hearing his passing. I honestly cannot believe it, and it affects me more than a random celebrity/person of interest.
If he touched the lives of people like me, and other posters here in such a way, I cannot imagine how he touched the lives of friends, family, and close co-workers.
Rest in piece Ken, you were a great man and we are all at a loss without you.
And as I read away about his concerns about Fans thoughts over the 2005 lockout, I came across the below post, Jon.
We truly lost a great great man today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout
Mr. King,
While I don't really have a question about the cancelation of the season I did want to say thankyou.
Last spring you were kind enough to reserve me two tickets for game 6, and I flew out from Sydney NS to take in the last Flames home game (along with my cousin).
I can't tell you how much that meant to me, the ticket is litterally framed on my wall hanging above my bed, and on the wall at the foot of my bed is the Western Conference Champions flag that I got at the 'Dome that night.
What you, and your assitant did for me was something I'll never forget. I just wanted to say thanks again since you're here and in person.
Last edited by cam_wmh; 03-13-2020 at 01:00 AM.
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Condolences, IamNotKenKing, on your loss. We are all feeling this quite a bit, so I can't imagine what you're going through right now.
I met KK a few times at training camp events, when there aren't too many fans in attendance-scrimmages, practices,etc. He always recognized me, and each time he would turn to my wife and ask if I was bothering her, or if he should call security, and another time he teased me for wearing a Bruins hat (It was actually a Bobby Orr hat). When he was done joking around, he would always greet us warmly. We have always been huge fans of his, and we always will be.
RIP Mr.King, and safe travels....
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I'm touched by reading all these stories people are sharing about Ken King. It paints a picture of a very nice and warm person. Rest in peace mr. King, and my sincere condolences to the King family.
I feared what the next news might end up being given this long gap between the initial announcement of his illness and now. Most unfortunate to hear.
In any case, some fantastic stories in here. I met Ken just once at a STH meeting and came away as impressed by his presence and willingness to chat as others here. As Treliving noted in yesterday’s presser, I always admired how well-spoken he was. He was a very deliberate and effective communicator that served the team well all of these years.
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
Exp:
A great piece by Duha this morning in the Athletic on King through the memories of Jim Peplinski.
NSFW!
Peplinski said he and King talked about cars through much of their working lives.
“When General Motors first came out with an electric vehicle, he called and asked, ‘Can you get me one of these?’ And I said, ‘Yes, but I’m not going to.’ He said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘This just isn’t going to work for you.’ So he lost that idea.
“One time, I was driving a Mercedes SUV and I was dropping him off somewhere, and he asked, ‘How much is this vehicle worth?’ And I said, ‘About 50 grand.’ He said, ‘I’ll give you 40 for it.’ I said, ‘Why don’t I just give you 10 grand and you can just #### off.’
“Another time, I had this Porsche that came back to us at the dealership one time and he said, ‘Let me drive that thing.’ So, we go into the parking lot at the Saddledome and he starts going around in circles, and I said, ‘You are a nutcase. I’m not going to allow you to drive another car in my life. You shouldn’t be allowed to drive on the road.'”
Wanted to share something I always got a chuckle out of, but has really brought out the onions this morning reading it again. I'm sure some of you will remember the context
"Appreciate your passion for the cause Spencer, and like your jersey design but we're committed to another concept and NHL needs two years approval period. I really like the Calgary Puck group but the "jihad" is a non starter. If I didn't respect them I would be annoyed but they love the Flames and that works for me. Wish they didn't do the spam thing but oh well. Keep well. KK"
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I don’t get emotional often, especially at the news of the passing of someone I didn’t know personally. But wow, all of your stories hit so hard. Thank you for these. I’m going to forever strive to be as personable and passionate as Ken King.
Last edited by Scroopy Noopers; 03-13-2020 at 08:34 AM.
Reason: ... reworded.
I didn't know he was sick so this news comes as a big shock to me.
Mr. King came across as a calm and kind man.
Players and staff come and go but Ken King was always there during the higs and lows.
In a way Ken King was the face of the franchise.
My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues.
A few years ago I spotted Ken and one of his boys in the High River Sobeys. It was thanksgiving and mother and myself were getting some whipping cream and a pumpkin pie for a social function we were attending. Without even realising what had happened Ken paid for our cream and pie and wished both my mother and myself a happy Thanksgiving.
One of the nicest people you could ever meet
RIP Ken!
Thanks for the stories!
(Ken did not have any boys. Probably one of his grandsons.)
Thought they would announce beforehand what he was ill with before he did pass. Comes off shocking to read this.
What a rough year for the organization. Kings illness and now death, Snow's ALS diagnose, and now this illness putting a pause to the season. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions for those in the org. you would figure.
RIP.
Also Bill Peters racism scandal. Tough year behind the scenes for everyone in the organization.
RIP Ken King, you worked hard for the Flames and their fans right to the end!
