D. J. King
A Canadian enforcer who carved out a seven-year NHL career defined by physical grit and a willingness to protect his teammates.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Ice hockey player·Birthday: June 27·Millennials
Biography
D.J. King's path to the NHL was that of the classic hockey enforcer. A hulking left winger from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, his ticket was not finesse but fearlessness. Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2002, he spent years honing his role in the minors, a necessary piece in the league's tougher era. His NHL debut came in the 2006-07 season, and he became a fixture in the Blues' lineup for parts of four seasons, known for his imposing presence and straightforward style. A trade to the Washington Capitals in 2010 placed him on a star-laden team, where his specific skill set was used sparingly to add a layer of security. His career was hampered by injuries, a common toll for players in his role, leading to his retirement in 2013. King's story reflects the specialized, and often short, career arc of the modern hockey tough guy.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
D. was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When D. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
D.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played 146 regular-season games in the National Hockey League across seven seasons.
- Recorded his first and only NHL goal on February 9, 2009, while playing for the St. Louis Blues against the Los Angeles Kings.
- Was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 6th round (190th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
- Appeared in 4 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Washington Capitals during the 2011 postseason.
- Served as an alternate captain for the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues' AHL affiliate, during the 2009-10 season.
Did You Know?
His father, Dwayne King Sr., was also a professional hockey player who had a stint in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers.
He is one of the few NHL players to have been born in the province of Saskatchewan's town of Meadow Lake.
He amassed over 300 penalty minutes in his professional hockey career across the NHL and AHL.
After retiring, he returned to Saskatchewan and has been involved in coaching youth hockey.
He played his junior hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL.
“My job was to make sure our skilled guys had the room to play.”
