On behalf of the B.C. government, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong tonight extended congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings, and in particular, to the two British Columbians on the team, Colin Fraser and Willie Mitchell.

The Kings beat the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Final four games to two after a 6 to 1 victory tonight at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

This is the first Stanley Cup victory for Mitchell, who grew up in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island.

Fraser, who was born in Sicamous and raised in Surrey, has won the cup before. He was part of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks during their victory run in 2010.

The win marks the first time the Los Angeles Kings have ever hoisted the Stanley Cup. The team has played in the Stanley Cup final on only one other occasion - in 1993, when they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.

Quote:

Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"It is always exciting to see British Columbia athletes succeed, and I know that the communities of Sicamous, Surrey, and Port McNeill are celebrating this win along with us. Although the Canucks didn't win this year, the Stanley Cup final is still a success story for B.C., thanks to the significant accomplishments of Colin Fraser and Willie Mitchell. Congratulations!"

Quick Facts:

• Willie Mitchell was born in Port McNeill April 23, 1977.
• Mitchell played Junior A hockey with the Kelowna Spartans in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
• Mitchell was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 8th round of the 1996 NHL entry draft and played for the Devils, the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks before joining the L.A. Kings.
• Colin Fraser was born in Sicamous Jan. 28, 1985.
• Growing up, he played with the Pacific Vipers in Vancouver before playing major junior in the Western Hockey League with the Red Deer Rebels.
• Fraser was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round of the 2003 NHL entry draft and played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers before joining the L.A. Kings.
• Fraser won the Stanley Cup in 2009-10 with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Learn More:

Los Angeles Kings: http://kings.nhl.com/

The National Hockey League: http://www.nhl.com/

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
250 208-4028 (cell)