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EL SEGUNDO, CA — As much as center Vincent Lecavalier has fit in with the Los Angeles Kings, defenseman Luke Schenn has also filled his role with the Kings admirably after the two were acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers on January 7.

Despite his -2 plus/minus rating in five games with the Kings, Schenn’s play has had the desired impact.

“I think he was a difference maker in two of the games [he’s played in], for sure,” said head coach Darryl Sutter. “He’s made really good plays [leading to us scoring] goals, not get noticed, get pucks back, and knock guys on their [rear ends] to get pucks back. Last night (January 17), say what you want, but that [fight against Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Stewart] was a big difference.”

Schenn has been asked to play a tough, physical brand of defense, filling the role that defenseman Matt Greene (out for the season; upper body injury) played.

“It hasn’t even been a couple of weeks yet, but I’m definitely getting more comfortable here as we go,” said Schenn. “I’m getting familiar with guys on the team, trainers and coaches, and everything.”

“It’s a bit of an adjustment to get traded mid-season, but I’m really enjoying it so far,” added Schenn. “It’s a great bunch of guys, and the organization is unbelievable. The whole set-up here is second to none. I’m honored to be here.”

“We’re just trying to come in here and be a piece of the puzzle, I guess you could say. They’ve obviously had a great foundation here for the last [few] years. We’ve got a good core group, and [Vinny and I] are just trying to help fill a role.”

Schenn indicated that his new teammates and coaches have been instrumental in helping him make the transition.

“I think the credit goes to the guys trying to make me feel comfortable, and the coaches are doing a good job in talking and [I’m watching] a lot of video with [associate head coach] John [Stevens],” said Schenn. “It’s been a good transition, a smooth transition. It’s always easier when there’s a lot of communication.”

“That’s one thing everyone’s done a great job at,” added Schenn. “There’s no gray area. It’s all black and white. Also, you get put in some good situations, and you’re [given opportunities] by the coaches. That’s just going to help things along.”

Schenn indicated that the transition has not been without its challenges.

“I’ve been traded before, but it was in the off-season,” Schenn noted. “My brother was already in Philadelphia, and I knew a lot of guys there. Here, I knew, maybe, three or four guys, so trying to get to know the guys on the fly [has been tough].”

“We flew in and played three games in four or five days, so you just try to adjust as quickly as you can,” Schenn added. “Then it was trying to get your whole life packed up, dealing with moving companies, getting your car shipped out [here]—all things you don’t [normally] think about that goes into a trade. You think it’s just playing hockey, but it’s also packing up your whole life, and trying to get settled in as quickly as possible so you can get that home feeling, rather than living out of a suitcase in a hotel.”

Schenn said that he was a bit surprised about how the Kings do things, compared to his time the Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Team-wise, the commitment and dedication to winning—that’s the number one thing that was kind of an eye-opener for me,” he said. “There’s no egos here. No one’s looking at what they’re doing, individually. It’s all about a collective, team effort. Everyone plays the right way, trying to get wins. That comes from the top players, and everyone follows. They’ve had a lot of success in the last handful of years. You can see that there’s a great culture here and tradition.”

“I played in Toronto for four years and we didn’t make the playoffs,” Schenn added. “They’ve been in rebuild mode for awhile. Then, in Philly—in the playoffs once in the past few years, too. It’s totally different coming to a team where you’re expected to win [as opposed to] just trying to make the playoffs. Here, that’s unacceptable. You have some big goals in mind here. It’s all about winning, and whatever it takes.”

“Playing in Toronto, when I was there, we were trying to get to that level. Here, they’re at that level, trying to sustain it, and get better.”