LOS ANGELES — Dustin Brown, whose fearless physicality and commanding leadership as the Kings' captain became cornerstones of their Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014, will retire at the end of the playoffs, the club announced on Thursday. He's scheduled to provide background on his decision at a news conference on Friday at the team's El Segundo practice facility.
Brown, 37, is in the final year of his contract. He indicated in an interview last week with The Los Angeles Times that he hadn't decided if he would play another season, given his reduced role and dwindling effectiveness on the ice.
"To be honest, I'm not really sure yet. It's still one of those questions that I want to take some time away from it," he said last week. "I don't think those are decisions you want to make during the ups and downs and just the day to day. There's good days and bad days. Just want to take my time with it."
