Kings to retire Rob Blake's number

The Los Angeles Kings will raise former captain Rob Blake's number to the rafters at Staples Center.

Blake's No. 4 will be retired prior to the Kings game against the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 17, the Kings announced Monday.

“It is an honor to be included with the former great L.A. Kings players who have their jerseys retired," said Blake. "I have always felt L.A. was a special place to play and it was, and is, a tremendous privilege to put on an L.A. Kings jersey."

The 44-year-old will become the sixth Kings player to have his number retired, joining Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne, Luc Robitaille, Dave Taylor and Rogie Vachon.

Blake will also be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

Blake was named vice-president and assistant general manager by Kings general manager Dean Lombardi in July 2013.

He tallied 777 regular season points in 1,270 games for the Kings, the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks over 19 seasons.

Blake served as Kings captain from 1996 to 2001 and again in the 2007-08 season. He is the franchise's all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points by a defenseman.