A 15-year NHL veteran, Derek King played a total of 830 games between the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues, in which he tallied a total of 612 points (261 goals, 351 assists). In addition to his offensive abilities, he has always been a true sportsman with only 417 penalty minutes in 830 NHL games.
Derek was part of the Ottawa Senators organisation last season. After scoring 29 goals and 46 assists in 72 games for the Griffins, King was recalled by the Senators in April 2001, but eventually did not play in the NHL. But together with Steve Larouche he received the Lamoureux Memorial Trophy in 2000-01, awarded to the leading scorer of the IHL.
"He´s a veteran player, who spent many seasons in the NHL: A perfect allrounder, good goalscorer, but also a great team player. And especially strong on the powerplay.", Barons Head Coach Sean Simpson says about his latest addition. Simpson scouted King and teammate David Oliver during the IHL Turner Cup Playoffs in Orlando, Florida. "He will perfectly fit into our system. And with his leadership qualities, Derek can likely take over Bob Sweeney´s role in the locker room."
Born 11 Feb 2001 in Hamilton/Ontario, Canada, King started out his hockey career as Rookie of the Year 1984-85 in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). He then transferred from Sault Saint Marie to Oshawa, where he won the OHL Championship in 1986-87 and was named OHL First Team All-Star. In March 1987, Derek made his first NHL appearance with the New York Islanders, who had made him a first-round draft choice two years before, selecting him 13th overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.
Derek is married to Suzanne. The couple has a young son named D.J. He recalls the closing of Toronto´s Maple Leaf Gardens his greatest hockey memory. His hockey idol as a youth was Darryl Sittler.
