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King update: Drew Doughty on playing for the Sutters

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Defenseman Drew Doughty has been down the Sutter road in his career ... and lived to tell about it.

In 2007, Doughty played for Brent Sutter, the brother of new Kings Coach Darryl Sutter, in the under-20 Super Series, representing Team Canada, against Russia. Doughty had not yet been drafted by the Kings.

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‘I kind of witnessed what Brent was like for eight games and I’ve heard they have some similarities,’ Doughty said at Thursday’s morning skate in El Segundo. ‘I know they are going to expect a lot out of us and expect us to work hard every night and that’s exactly what we need out of a coach.’

Brent Sutter, currently the Calgary Flames head coach, made that young team skate ‘the gauntlet,’ during one practice in Russia, according to one news account, because he was displeased with the team’s effort.

“In a way, you are kind of scared of him just because he (Brent) is so intense and he was somewhat intimidating,’ Doughty said. ‘But at the same time, off the ice, he was a great guy. Very honest. And I think that’s exactly what Darryl is like.’

Darryl Sutter’s debut as King coach will be tonight against the Ducks at Staples Center.

‘We knew exactly what to expect when he came in and (Kings GM) Dean (Lombardi) made us fully prepared for that,’ Doughty said. ‘So right away, it’s a nervous feeling coming in yesterday meeting him for the first time. Everyone was a little nervous. Didn’t know what to expect and now that we’ve got to know him, guys have calmed down a bit and are just ready to get going.’

A major assist should come in the form of center Mike Richards, who has been out since Dec. 1 because of a concussion. Richards, who was activated off injured reserve, said he expected to play against the Ducks. The Kings have won twice in the eight games Richards missed, leading to the firing of coach Terry Murray on Dec. 12.

‘He’s cleared to play,’ Sutter said. ‘We’ll dress a couple of extra guys in warmups, just to be sure.’

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-- Lisa Dillman

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