When Artemi Panarin landed in Los Angeles on February 4, he walked into a small but familiar problem: No. 10 wasn’t available. Corey Perry, a Hart Trophy winner and one of the few members of the Triple Gold Club, already had it stitched onto his back. Out of respect, Panarin didn’t push the issue.
So he looked elsewhere, eyeing No. 72 — the number he wore as a rising star in Chicago and earlier with SKA St. Petersburg. But in L.A., that sweater belonged to someone unexpected: Bailey the Lion.
Bailey’s No. 72 isn’t a gimmick. It’s a tribute to Garnet “Ace” Bailey, the former Kings forward and longtime director of pro scouting who was among the victims of the 9/11 attacks. It also doubles as a wink to the city’s year‑round sunshine.
What happened next felt straight out of a Hollywood script. Panarin and Bailey struck up an instant friendship, and the new King sealed the bond by gifting the mascot a Rolex — a lighthearted “payment” to share the number.
The Kings leaned into the bit, joking on social media about their dual No. 72s. But the arrangement didn’t last long. Five games later, Perry was dealt to Tampa Bay, freeing up No. 10. Panarin switched back immediately.
The number shuffle didn’t slow him down. Panarin picked up an assist on Anze Kopitar’s goal against Montreal and has posted a goal and five assists through his first six games in black and silver — exactly the kind of early punch the Kings hoped for.
As for Bailey, the Rolex isn’t going anywhere. Neither is the story — a quirky, only‑in‑L.A. moment that now links a star winger and a mascot in Kings lore.
So he looked elsewhere, eyeing No. 72 — the number he wore as a rising star in Chicago and earlier with SKA St. Petersburg. But in L.A., that sweater belonged to someone unexpected: Bailey the Lion.
Bailey’s No. 72 isn’t a gimmick. It’s a tribute to Garnet “Ace” Bailey, the former Kings forward and longtime director of pro scouting who was among the victims of the 9/11 attacks. It also doubles as a wink to the city’s year‑round sunshine.
What happened next felt straight out of a Hollywood script. Panarin and Bailey struck up an instant friendship, and the new King sealed the bond by gifting the mascot a Rolex — a lighthearted “payment” to share the number.
The Kings leaned into the bit, joking on social media about their dual No. 72s. But the arrangement didn’t last long. Five games later, Perry was dealt to Tampa Bay, freeing up No. 10. Panarin switched back immediately.
The number shuffle didn’t slow him down. Panarin picked up an assist on Anze Kopitar’s goal against Montreal and has posted a goal and five assists through his first six games in black and silver — exactly the kind of early punch the Kings hoped for.
As for Bailey, the Rolex isn’t going anywhere. Neither is the story — a quirky, only‑in‑L.A. moment that now links a star winger and a mascot in Kings lore.
