Stu Nahan, sportscaster was 81

The Kings held a moment of silence before tonight's game to honor Stu Nahan, the former sportscaster at channels 4, 5 and 7 and sports talk host on KABC and KFWB radio. Nahan died today at home in Studio City after battling lymphoma. He played minor league hockey for the old Los Angeles Monarchs and returned to L.A. in 1968 as the sports guy on Channel 7. From 1977 to 1986 he was on KNBC, then on KTLA from 1988 to 1999. The announcement of his passing brought a gasp from the crowd at Staples Center, where Nahan was known as the most hockey friendly of L.A.'s sportscasters. (The arena announcer's voice cracked during his tribute.) Nahan portrayed a boxing announcer in the Rocky movies, and in Fast Times at Ridgemont High Sean Penn's Jeff Spicoli character needled Nahan over his preference for brightly colored coats, quipping "Hey dude, nice jacket."

KNBC sports anchor Fred Roggin said Nahan was a friend and mentor.

"He opened doors and allowed opportunities, not just for me, but for many people," Roggin said. "Like everyone in Los Angeles, I will miss him deeply.

KNBC story, LAT obituary, SoCal Sports Observed

Noted: The Kings lost their eighth in a row, solidifying their hold on dead last in the NHL. Staples Center called tonight's crowd a sellout, but my Premier Level ticket was half-price and I was surrounded by empty seats.